Andrew Tulloch, Co-Founder of Thinking Machines Lab, Joins Meta Amid AI Recruitment Frenzy
In a significant move that highlights the intense competition in the artificial intelligence (AI) research space, Andrew Tulloch, co-founder of Thinking Machines Lab, has left the company to join Meta. According to sources, Tulloch's departure was announced to employees on Friday, with a spokesperson confirming his exit for "personal reasons." This development comes after a reported attempt by Mark Zuckerberg to acquire or poach Tulloch with a lucrative compensation package worth up to $1.5 billion over six years.
The Wall Street Journal first broke the news of Meta's aggressive recruitment efforts in August, revealing that Zuckerberg had made a substantial offer to Thinking Machines Lab. When this failed, Zuckerberg reportedly tried to lure Tulloch away from the company with a compensation package that could have been worth up to $1.5 billion over at least six years. A Meta spokesperson denied the WSJ's description of the offer as "inaccurate and ridiculous" at the time.
Thinking Machines Lab has faced intense competition in the AI research space, with several high-profile departures in recent months. The company, led by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, has struggled to retain top talent amidst Meta's aggressive recruitment efforts. According to a report by TechCrunch, Tulloch's departure marks another significant loss for the company.
Tulloch's decision to join Meta is seen as a major coup for the social media giant, which has been investing heavily in AI research and development. The move highlights the intense competition in the AI space, with companies vying for top talent and resources. "This is just one example of the intense competition in the AI research space," said an industry expert, who wished to remain anonymous. "Companies are willing to go to great lengths to acquire or poach top talent, and it's clear that Meta is committed to investing in AI."
The current status of Thinking Machines Lab remains unclear, but sources close to the company indicate that Murati will continue to lead the organization. The departure of Tulloch marks a significant loss for the company, which has been struggling to retain top talent amidst intense competition.
In a statement, a Meta spokesperson confirmed Tulloch's hire, saying: "We're excited to welcome Andrew to our team and look forward to his contributions to our AI research efforts." Thinking Machines Lab did not respond to requests for comment on Tulloch's departure or the company's current status.
The recruitment frenzy in the AI space is expected to continue, with companies vying for top talent and resources. As the competition intensifies, it remains to be seen how Thinking Machines Lab will adapt and retain its remaining talent.
This story was compiled from reports by TechCrunch and TechCrunch.
