Thinking Machines Lab Co-Founder Andrew Tulloch Heads To Meta
Thinking Machines Lab co-founder Andrew Tulloch heads to Meta, marking another major shift in the competitive world of AI talent acquisition. Tulloch’s move underscores how Big Tech continues to pull top researchers from innovative startups shaping the next wave of artificial intelligence.
Image Credits:David Paul Morris/Bloomberg / Getty Images
According to The Wall Street Journal, Tulloch informed employees of his departure last Friday. A spokesperson for Thinking Machines Lab confirmed the news, stating that he “has decided to pursue a different path for personal reasons.”
Meta’s Aggressive AI Hiring Strategy
Tulloch’s move comes amid Meta’s ongoing push to dominate the AI space. Back in August, reports revealed that Mark Zuckerberg had launched a sweeping AI recruiting blitz. His offers included an attempted acquisition of Thinking Machines Lab — and when that failed, Zuckerberg reportedly tried to lure Tulloch personally with a compensation package rumored to be worth up to $1.5 billion over six years.
At the time, Meta dismissed those claims, calling the reported offer “inaccurate and ridiculous.” Still, Tulloch’s eventual decision to join Meta suggests that the company’s AI ambitions — and resources — remain difficult to resist.
From OpenAI To Meta: Tulloch’s Evolving AI Journey
Before co-founding Thinking Machines Lab, Tulloch was part of both OpenAI and Facebook’s AI Research (FAIR) team. His career reflects a deep commitment to pushing AI innovation forward — from foundational research to building applied AI systems that bridge academic and commercial frontiers.
His return to Meta signals that the social media giant is doubling down on its mission to lead the next generation of generative AI technologies, potentially integrating Tulloch’s expertise into Meta’s growing portfolio of AI models and infrastructure.
What Tulloch’s Move Means For Thinking Machines Lab
For Thinking Machines Lab, which is led by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, Tulloch’s departure marks a significant moment. While the startup continues to attract global attention for its cutting-edge AI research, losing a co-founder to one of the largest players in the industry highlights the intense competition for elite AI talent.
Still, the company remains positioned as one of the most promising AI startups to watch in 2025, especially as it builds on its foundation of research excellence and leadership under Murati.
AI Talent Wars Heat Up
The fact that Thinking Machines Lab co-founder Andrew Tulloch heads to Meta is more than just a career move — it’s a signal of how fast the AI talent race is escalating. As Meta, OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Anthropic continue to battle for talent, startups are finding it increasingly challenging to retain their top minds.
In the AI era, every researcher, engineer, and co-founder counts — and Tulloch’s move could be a pivotal moment in shaping how startups navigate the pull of tech giants in the years ahead.
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