TLDR: Meta has successfully recruited Andrew Tulloch, co-founder of AI startup Thinking Machines Lab, to significantly enhance its artificial intelligence research efforts. This strategic hire underscores the intense competition for leading AI experts between established tech giants and burgeoning startups.
Meta Platforms has announced the significant addition of Andrew Tulloch, a distinguished artificial intelligence researcher and co-founder of Thinking Machines Lab, to its burgeoning AI research division. This move, confirmed by both Meta and a spokesperson for Thinking Machines Lab, marks a pivotal moment in Meta’s aggressive strategy to solidify its leadership in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
Tulloch’s return to Meta is particularly noteworthy given his extensive background in the AI domain. He previously contributed to Meta’s AI Research group (FAIR) and held a key role at OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT. In 2025, he co-founded Thinking Machines Lab alongside Mira Murati, former CTO of OpenAI. The startup quickly gained prominence for developing AI tools focused on safety, helpfulness, and user-friendliness, achieving a valuation of $12 billion after raising $2 billion in funding.
A spokesperson for Thinking Machines Lab stated that Tulloch’s departure was for personal reasons, allowing him to pursue a new professional direction. This recruitment follows earlier reports from The Wall Street Journal in August 2025, which detailed Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s concerted efforts to attract top AI talent. Initially, Zuckerberg reportedly sought to acquire the entire Thinking Machines Lab. When that acquisition did not materialize, Meta’s focus shifted to recruiting Tulloch individually, with reports suggesting a compensation package potentially reaching as high as $1.5 billion over a minimum of six years. A Meta spokesperson, however, dismissed the Journal’s characterization of the offer as “inaccurate and ridiculous.”
Tulloch’s expertise is expected to significantly strengthen Meta’s AI Superintelligence team, which has recently expanded with over 50 new AI experts. This team is tasked with developing advanced AI systems, human-compatible tools, and sophisticated AI agents. His appointment is seen as a major victory for Meta, enabling the company to accelerate its AI research and product development, ultimately making AI systems more advanced and accessible.
Also Read:
- Mira Murati’s Thinking Machines Lab Secures Investment, Unveils AI Model Fine-Tuning Platform
- Former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati Unveils AI Startup ‘Thinking Machines Lab’ and Tinker Platform, Securing $2 Billion in Seed Funding
This high-profile hiring also highlights a broader trend in the tech industry: the fierce competition for top AI talent between established corporations and innovative startups. Tulloch’s career trajectory, moving between leading AI organizations, exemplifies the dynamic nature of AI research and development, which is actively shaping the future of artificial intelligence globally.
