Andrew Tulloch, a co-founder of artificial intelligence (AI) startup Thinking Machines Lab, has departed the company to join Meta, according to reports. Tulloch announced his move to employees in a message on Friday.
A spokesperson for Thinking Machines Lab confirmed Tulloch’s departure to The Wall Street Journal, citing that he "has decided to pursue a different path for personal reasons." The move represents a significant talent acquisition within the highly competitive AI research landscape.
This recruitment follows earlier reports detailing Meta's efforts to expand its AI capabilities. In August, The Wall Street Journal reported on Mark Zuckerberg's aggressive AI recruiting initiatives, which included an offer to acquire Thinking Machines Lab. When that acquisition attempt did not materialize, Zuckerberg reportedly sought to recruit Tulloch directly, with a compensation package potentially valued at up to $1.5 billion over a period of at least six years. A Meta spokesperson, at the time, characterized the WSJ’s description of the offer as "inaccurate and ridiculous."
Tulloch brings prior experience from both OpenAI and Facebook’s AI Research Group, positions that predate his co-founding role at Thinking Machines Lab. Thinking Machines Lab is currently led by Mira Murati, formerly the Chief Technology Officer at OpenAI. The recruitment underscores the ongoing intense competition among major technology firms for top-tier AI research talent.
