Andrew Tulloch, Co-founder of Thinking Machines Lab, Joins Meta Amid High-Profile AI Talent War

Andrew Tulloch, co-founder of AI startup Thinking Machines Lab, has left the company to join Meta, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal. Tulloch informed employees of his departure in an internal message on Friday, citing personal reasons for his decision. A spokesperson for Thinking Machines Lab confirmed the news, stating that Tulloch had “decided to pursue a different path for personal reasons.” Thinking Machines Lab, led by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, has emerged as a key player in the AI space since its launch earlier this year. The company is focused on advancing artificial intelligence through research and development, drawing on talent from top institutions and companies in the field. Tulloch’s move to Meta comes amid a broader wave of high-stakes hiring in the AI industry. In August, the Wall Street Journal reported that Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg had led a major recruitment push, including an acquisition offer for Thinking Machines Lab. When that deal fell through, sources said Zuckerberg personally attempted to lure Tulloch with a compensation package potentially worth up to $1.5 billion over six years. A Meta spokesperson at the time dismissed those claims as “inaccurate and ridiculous.” Prior to joining Thinking Machines Lab, Tulloch held prominent roles at OpenAI and Facebook’s AI Research Group (FAIR), where he contributed to foundational work in machine learning and AI systems. His expertise in deep learning and model architecture makes him a valuable addition to Meta’s growing AI team. His departure marks another high-profile talent loss for the startup, underscoring the intense competition among tech giants to secure top AI researchers. As Meta continues to expand its AI ambitions, the recruitment of individuals like Tulloch signals a strategic effort to strengthen its technical leadership and accelerate progress in generative AI and future AI systems.