Thinking Machines Lab, the Shanghai-and-San Francisco-based startup co-founded by former OpenAI Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati, is experiencing major turbulence at the top. In something of a surprising twist, co-founders Barret Zoph and Luke Metz are rejoining their old friends at OpenAI. In the meantime, the company has lost another high profile figure. Andrew Tulloch left for Meta in October.
Thinking Machines Lab kicked off with a tremendously energetic team. This cohort joins a fab group of makers from leading tech companies, including OpenAI, Meta, and Mistral AI. With a valuation of $12 billion in its funding round, the startup quickly gained attention in the tech industry for its high-profile roster and ambitious goals.
Mira Murati, who co-founded Thinking Machines with Zoph and Metz, originally broke the news about Zoph’s departure on social media. Fidji Simo, OpenAI’s new CEO of applications, shortly thereafter confirmed Zoph’s return to OpenAI. He stated, “Excited to welcome Barret Zoph, Luke Metz, and Sam Schoenholz back to OpenAI! This has been in the works for several weeks, and we’re thrilled to have them join the team.”
Barret Zoph was formerly Vice President of Research at OpenAI. Today, he is the Chief Technology Officer at Thinking Machines. Like other members of the ensemble, Luke Metz has a history with OpenAI, having been on its technical staff for several years.
The resignation of such key members just four months after the company was founded has many in the tech community scratching their heads. Her departures are a sobering reminder of the cut-throat competition in today’s AI sector, where retaining the best talent is still a key obstacle to success.
Murati expressed her sentiments regarding Zoph’s move back to OpenAI in her post on X, stating, “We could not be more excited to have him take on this new responsibility.”
As Thinking Machines moves through these transitions, it remains to be seen how the company will survive and adapt. Sam Schoenholz’s LinkedIn profile still lists him as part of the core team at Thinking Machines. This would indicate the nascent startup has yet to fully lose its core of great talent on which it was built. With its co-founders departure, the mission-oriented company now needs to re-examine its strategic direction and leadership structure.