Leaders at Mira Murati's Thinking Machines Lab confronted co-founder and former CTO Barret Zoph last summer over an alleged relationship with another employee, according to sources familiar with the matter. The relationship is believed to be the alleged misconduct previously reported by WIRED and other outlets. To protect the privacy of those involved, the employee, who held a leadership role in a different department, will not be named and is no longer employed at the lab.

Sources indicate that Murati approached Zoph to discuss the relationship. The working relationship between the co-founders deteriorated in the months following this conversation, and Zoph began exploring opportunities with competitors. Prior to his departure from Thinking Machines, Zoph was in discussions with leaders from Meta Superintelligence Labs. He was subsequently hired by OpenAI.

Fidji Simo, OpenAI's CEO of applications, stated that Zoph's hiring had been in progress for several weeks. Simo also noted that she was not privy to Thinking Machines' concerns regarding Zoph's ethics. Zoph and OpenAI did not respond to requests for comment.

The incident at Thinking Machines highlights the growing scrutiny of workplace relationships, particularly within the tech industry, a sector often criticized for its lack of diversity and potential power imbalances. Similar situations have sparked debate globally, raising questions about corporate ethics, transparency, and the responsibility of leadership in maintaining a fair and respectful work environment. In many Western countries, companies are increasingly implementing stricter policies regarding workplace relationships to mitigate potential conflicts of interest and legal liabilities. However, cultural norms and legal frameworks vary significantly across the globe, influencing how such matters are addressed in different regions. For example, in some Asian countries, hierarchical structures and cultural sensitivities can make it more challenging to address such issues openly.

The departure of Zoph from Thinking Machines and his subsequent hiring by OpenAI also underscore the intense competition for talent within the artificial intelligence sector. As AI development becomes increasingly crucial for global economic and strategic advantage, companies are vying for skilled professionals, sometimes overlooking potential ethical concerns in their pursuit of expertise. This situation raises broader questions about the ethical responsibilities of companies in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.