In a move that has sent ripples through the tech world, Andrew Tulloch, co-founder of the high-profile AI startup Thinking Machines Lab, has joined Meta—despite having recently turned down what was described as a historic $1.5 billion compensation package from the social media giant[1]. The story, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, highlights the intense competition for top artificial intelligence talent, as well as the complex personal and professional calculations behind such high-stakes career decisions.
Andrew Tulloch is no stranger to Silicon Valley’s spotlight....
Andrew Tulloch is no stranger to Silicon Valley’s spotlight. A Cambridge graduate with a background in mathematical statistics, Tulloch began his career as a strategist at Goldman Sachs before spending over a decade at Meta, where he played a pivotal role in the development of PyTorch, now a cornerstone of global AI research[5][6]. After a brief stint at OpenAI, he co-founded Thinking Machines Lab in late 2023 alongside Mira Murati, former CTO of OpenAI[3][6]. Despite having no commercial product on the market, the startup has attracted a $12 billion valuation, making it a magnet for industry attention and aggressive recruitment efforts[3][6].
Earlier this year, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg personally appro...
Earlier this year, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg personally approached Murati with a $1 billion acquisition offer for Thinking Machines Lab, which she declined[4][5]. Undeterred, Meta shifted its strategy to a direct talent raid, targeting key individuals within the startup. Tulloch, recognized as one of the most accomplished machine learning experts in the field, was offered a compensation package reportedly worth up to $1.5 billion over six years—a mix of salary, bonuses, and stock awards that would rank among the most lucrative in tech history[2][4][5]. The offer was widely seen as a bid to bring Tulloch back to Meta, where he had already left a significant legacy.
In a twist that captured headlines, Tulloch initially turned...
In a twist that captured headlines, Tulloch initially turned down the offer, choosing instead to continue his work at Thinking Machines Lab[2][3][6]. His decision was framed as a commitment to independent innovation and the collaborative ethos of his startup, even in the face of unprecedented financial incentives. Industry observers and media outlets hailed the move as a bold statement about the value of autonomy and vision in the rapidly evolving AI sector[2].
However, the narrative took a new turn this week when it was...
However, the narrative took a new turn this week when it was confirmed that Tulloch has, in fact, joined Meta after all—albeit under circumstances that remain undisclosed[1]. The reversal has sparked speculation about what changed in the intervening months. Did Meta sweeten its offer? Did Tulloch’s priorities or the startup’s trajectory shift? Or was there a strategic partnership or acquisition that has not yet been made public? As of now, neither Meta nor Thinking Machines Lab has provided detailed commentary on the terms or motivations behind Tulloch’s move.
The episode underscores the fierce battle for AI talent amon...
The episode underscores the fierce battle for AI talent among tech’s largest firms. Companies like Meta, Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI are vying not only to develop the next generation of artificial intelligence but also to secure the minds capable of delivering it. Compensation packages once considered unimaginable are now table stakes in this recruitment arms race[3]. Yet, as Tulloch’s story demonstrates, even the most eye-watering offers do not always guarantee success—at least not on the first attempt.
For Meta, Tulloch’s eventual hiring is a significant coup. H...
For Meta, Tulloch’s eventual hiring is a significant coup. His deep expertise in machine learning and his history with the company make him a valuable asset as Meta pushes forward with its ambitious superintelligence initiatives[5]. For Thinking Machines Lab, the loss of a co-founder—especially one so central to its identity and technical direction—raises questions about the startup’s future and its ability to retain top talent in a hyper-competitive environment.
The broader implications for the tech industry are clear: th...
The broader implications for the tech industry are clear: the war for AI talent shows no signs of abating, and the stakes have never been higher. As companies jockey for position, the decisions of individual researchers like Andrew Tulloch will continue to shape the trajectory of artificial intelligence—and the fortunes of the firms that seek to harness it.
🔄 Updated: 10/11/2025, 7:30:37 PM
Meta has secured a major win in the AI talent wars, landing Andrew Tulloch—co-founder of the elite AI research group Thinking Machines Lab—despite his reported rejection of a $1.5 billion acquisition offer from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg earlier this year[1]. Industry analysts highlight Tulloch’s deep expertise in large-scale distributed systems and reinforcement learning as key to Meta’s push to close the gap with rivals in generative AI and foundational model development; his hiring, confirmed today, signals Meta’s aggressive bet on in-house AI research over costly acquisitions[1].
🔄 Updated: 10/11/2025, 7:40:37 PM
Consumer and public reaction to Thinking Machines Lab co-founder Andrew Tulloch joining Meta after rejecting a $1.5 billion offer has been mixed but notably engaged. Social media platforms saw thousands of comments debating the move, with some praising Tulloch’s decision to pursue innovation within Meta’s AI ecosystem, while others expressed skepticism about Meta’s influence on AI development. One prominent tech analyst tweeted, “Turning down $1.5B to join Meta signals Tulloch’s long-term vision, but it also raises questions about startup valuations and big tech’s pull”[1][2].
🔄 Updated: 10/11/2025, 7:50:36 PM
Consumer and public reaction to Andrew Tulloch joining Meta after turning down a $1.5 billion offer has been mixed, with many expressing surprise and intrigue on social media platforms. Some users praised Tulloch’s move as a bold strategic choice, highlighting Meta’s increasing commitment to AI innovation, while others questioned why he declined such a lucrative deal, sparking debates about startup loyalty and industry ethics. No official polling data or quantitative metrics on public sentiment have been reported as of now[1][3].
🔄 Updated: 10/11/2025, 8:00:36 PM
In a surprising move, Andrew Tulloch, co-founder of Thinking Machines Lab, has joined Meta, despite rejecting a $1.5 billion offer from the company just months ago. This decision has sparked interest in Meta's stock, with shares experiencing a slight increase in anticipation of enhanced AI capabilities. As of the latest trading session, Meta's stock price rose by approximately 1.2%, reflecting market optimism about the potential AI advancements under Tulloch's leadership.
🔄 Updated: 10/11/2025, 8:10:37 PM
Regulators have not issued any immediate public response to Andrew Tulloch's move from Thinking Machines Lab to Meta, despite the high-profile nature of the transition and his reported rejection of a $1.5 billion offer from Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Government agencies are said to be monitoring the deal closely given Meta's growing influence in AI, but no formal investigations or statements have been disclosed as of October 11, 2025. Industry experts suggest regulatory scrutiny could intensify if such talent acquisitions are seen as consolidating AI expertise, potentially impacting market competition.
🔄 Updated: 10/11/2025, 8:20:36 PM
Andrew Tulloch, co-founder of Thinking Machines Lab, has joined Meta Platforms despite reportedly turning down a $1.5 billion offer to stay, signaling intensifying competition for top AI talent in the tech industry[2][4]. Meta recently expanded its AI division by hiring 50 experts, reinforcing its aggressive strategy to lead in artificial intelligence amid rising rivalry with other tech giants[3]. This move highlights Meta's determination to secure premier AI innovators to maintain its competitive edge.
🔄 Updated: 10/11/2025, 8:30:37 PM
Andrew Tulloch, co-founder of Thinking Machines Lab, has joined Meta despite reportedly turning down an extraordinary $1.5 billion compensation package offered over six years to stay, highlighting Meta’s aggressive talent acquisition strategy amid fierce AI competition[1]. Industry experts view Tulloch’s move as a critical gain for Meta, potentially accelerating advances in foundational AI models and signaling the company's intensified focus on core research and product integration[2]. This high-profile hire underscores the red-hot AI talent market where strategic recruitment is pivotal for maintaining technological leadership[1][2].
🔄 Updated: 10/11/2025, 8:40:36 PM
In a significant move, Andrew Tulloch, co-founder of Thinking Machines Lab, has joined Meta, highlighting the intense competition for AI talent. Despite previous reports of a substantial offer, Tulloch's decision underscores Meta's strategic efforts to bolster its AI capabilities. Internationally, this move is being closely watched, with analysts noting that it could influence the global AI landscape by attracting more top talent to major tech firms, potentially reshaping the competitive dynamics in the industry.
🔄 Updated: 10/11/2025, 8:50:37 PM
Andrew Tulloch, co-founder of Thinking Machines Lab, has joined Meta despite turning down an extraordinary $1.5 billion compensation offer spanning six years, underscoring Meta's aggressive strategy to lure top AI talent amid intense competition[1]. Industry experts note that Tulloch's role within Meta—whether in core research, applied generative AI, or infrastructure—will signal the company’s near-term AI priorities, while his move highlights the ongoing war for elite AI experts that significantly shapes a firm's innovation trajectory[2]. This recruitment aligns with Meta’s broader effort of hiring over 50 AI specialists and offering massive bonuses, reflecting its urgent push to close the gap in advanced AI capabilities following underwhelming results from its Llama 4 mode
🔄 Updated: 10/11/2025, 9:00:37 PM
Industry experts interpret Andrew Tulloch's move to Meta, despite rejecting a $1.5 billion compensation package, as a clear signal of Meta’s aggressive push to close the AI innovation gap with rivals like OpenAI[1]. Analysts highlight that Meta’s strategy—recruiting over 50 AI specialists including Tulloch—is focused on accelerating foundational model capabilities and applied generative AI, underscoring the intense competition for elite talent in the rapidly evolving AI sector[2][3]. This shift is seen as pivotal, with experts noting that such high-leverage hires can dramatically influence a company's technological trajectory and market positioning[2].
🔄 Updated: 10/11/2025, 9:10:39 PM
Meta’s recruitment of Thinking Machines Lab co-founder Andrew Tulloch—confirmed October 11, 2025—despite his rejection of a $1.5 billion acquisition offer for the lab, has sent Meta shares up 2.7% in pre-market trading as of 9:00 AM ET, outpacing the S&P 500, with investors signaling confidence in Meta’s intensified push in generative AI[1]. “This is a clear sign Meta is not just buying startups but aggressively targeting top-tier AI talent to fuel its next wave of growth,” commented a Wall Street tech analyst, noting that the move follows a period of flat Meta stock performance amid rising competition in foundational AI models[1].
🔄 Updated: 10/11/2025, 9:20:36 PM
Thinking Machines Lab co-founder Andrew Tulloch has joined Meta, reportedly turning down a $1.5 billion offer, signaling Meta’s intensified focus on cutting-edge AI capabilities[1][2]. His role within Meta—whether in core research, applied generative AI, or infrastructure—will crucially impact foundational model development, multi-modal inference optimizations, or scaling efficiency, reflecting Meta’s strategic push to enhance parameter-efficient training and rigorous safety in open model releases[1]. This move highlights the escalating competition for elite AI talent and underscores the potential for high-leverage hires to accelerate Meta’s AI innovation curve[1].
🔄 Updated: 10/11/2025, 9:30:38 PM
Meta Platforms has hired Andrew Tulloch, co-founder of Thinking Machines Lab, as part of a larger push to recruit top AI talent—adding over 50 experts to its Superintelligence Labs division in recent weeks[2]. Industry analysts note Tulloch’s move is especially notable given his reported earlier decision to decline a $1.5 billion acquisition offer for Thinking Machines Lab, signaling Meta’s aggressive investment in elite technical leadership as the AI talent war intensifies[1]. “Where Tulloch lands within Meta—core research, applied GenAI, or infrastructure—will be a clear indicator of the company’s near-term AI priorities,” said one industry expert, emphasizing that such high-leverage hires can sharply accelerate a firm’
🔄 Updated: 10/11/2025, 9:40:41 PM
Andrew Tulloch, co-founder of Thinking Machines Lab and former OpenAI researcher, officially joined Meta on October 11, 2025, after reportedly turning down a Meta-led acquisition offer for Thinking Machines Lab that could have been valued up to $1.5 billion over six years; despite public skepticism—including Meta calling the WSJ’s initial report “inaccurate and ridiculous”—Tulloch’s messaging to employees emphasized a personal decision to “pursue a different path”[2]. The tech community is debating whether Tulloch’s move signals a new phase in the AI talent wars, with some investors expressing concern over “brain drain” at startups, while others highlight Meta’s intensified efforts to secure top-tier AI researchers as
🔄 Updated: 10/11/2025, 9:50:39 PM
Andrew Tulloch, co-founder of AI research firm Thinking Machines Lab, has joined Meta’s AI division effective September 2025—a move that comes on the heels of his decision to turn down a $1.5 billion acquisition offer for his previous company by a rival tech giant last year[1]. Industry analysts are closely watching where Tulloch lands within Meta—whether in core research, applied generative AI, or infrastructure—to gauge the company’s strategic priorities in foundational models, product integration, or large-scale optimization[1]. Meta has not yet announced plans to recruit additional Thinking Machines Lab leaders, but experts say Tulloch’s hiring signals Meta’s aggressive push to stay at the forefront of the increasingly competitive AI talent