A significant shakeup is occurring within the competitive artificial intelligence landscape as Thinking Machines Lab, the startup founded by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, experiences the departure of two co-founders and a key staffer back to its former parent company. Barret Zoph, co-founder and CTO of Thinking Machines, along with co-founder Luke Metz and researcher Sam Schoenholz, are returning to OpenAI, signaling a potential setback for the well-funded AI venture. This move highlights the ongoing talent war within the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence sector.
The departures were announced on Wednesday via social media posts from both Murati and OpenAI CEO of applications, Fidji Simo. Simo confirmed the return of Zoph, Metz, and Schoenholz, stating the arrangement had been in development for several weeks. Murati announced Zoph’s departure and named Soumith Chintala as the new CTO of Thinking Machines, praising his experience and contributions to the field.
The Impact of Key Personnel Leaving Thinking Machines
The simultaneous exit of two co-founders, particularly the CTO, is a notable event for a startup less than a year old. Thinking Machines, which secured a substantial $2 billion seed round last July led by Andreessen Horowitz, had positioned itself as a major contender by assembling a team of high-profile researchers from OpenAI, Meta, and Mistral AI. However, this recent development raises questions about the company’s stability and future direction.
A Less Than Amicable Split?
Reports suggest the departure of Zoph may not have been entirely voluntary. Wired reported the split between Zoph and Thinking Machines wasn’t amicable, a claim supported by Murati’s brief announcement regarding his exit. The lack of detailed explanation from Murati regarding Zoph’s departure further fuels speculation about the circumstances surrounding the move.
Additionally, Thinking Machines has seen other key personnel leave in recent months. Andrew Tulloch, another co-founder, joined Meta in October. This pattern of departures, including John Schulman’s previous move from OpenAI to Anthropic and then briefly to Thinking Machines, underscores the fluidity of talent within the machine learning industry.
OpenAI Reclaims Top Talent
OpenAI’s willingness to welcome back former employees demonstrates its continued dominance in attracting and retaining top AI researchers. Zoph previously served as VP of research at OpenAI and brings significant experience in large language models and AI infrastructure. Metz also has a long history with OpenAI, having worked on the company’s technical staff for several years. Schoenholz’s LinkedIn profile confirms his ongoing transition back to OpenAI.
This influx of talent comes at a crucial time for OpenAI, as the company continues to develop and deploy increasingly sophisticated AI models, including the latest iterations of GPT. The return of these individuals could accelerate OpenAI’s research and development efforts, further solidifying its position as a leader in the field.
The $12 billion valuation Thinking Machines achieved during its seed round reflects the intense investor interest in new AI ventures. However, maintaining that valuation and achieving its ambitious goals will be significantly more challenging without the expertise of its co-founders. The company’s ability to navigate this transition and attract new leadership will be critical to its long-term success.
Both Thinking Machines and OpenAI have been contacted for comment but have not yet provided further details. The situation highlights the competitive nature of the AI industry and the constant movement of talent between companies.
Looking ahead, the next few months will be crucial for Thinking Machines as it integrates Chintala as its new CTO and seeks to stabilize its leadership team. The company’s ability to execute its vision and maintain investor confidence will depend on its response to these recent departures and its success in attracting new talent. The broader implications for the AI landscape remain to be seen, but this event underscores the ongoing battle for dominance in this rapidly evolving field.
