Andrew Tulloch Update 2025: Meta Acquisition
Andrew Tulloch, co-founder of the AI startup Thinking Machines Lab, has joined Meta, according to reports in October 2025. Tulloch’s departure from the company, led by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, marks a significant shift in the landscape of AI talent and corporate strategy. The move follows earlier reports of Meta’s interest in acquiring Thinking Machines Lab and subsequent efforts to recruit Tulloch individually.
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Official guidance: IEEE — official guidance for Thinking Machines Lab founder Andrew Tulloch Update 2025
Tulloch’s Departure from Thinking Machines Lab
News of Tulloch’s departure was first reported by The Wall Street Journal, citing an announcement made by Tulloch to Thinking Machines Lab employees on Friday, October 10, 2025. A spokesperson for Thinking Machines Lab confirmed the departure, stating that Tulloch “has decided to pursue a different path for personal reasons.” The announcement concludes a period of speculation surrounding Tulloch’s future with the company, particularly in light of Meta’s reported interest in acquiring the entire startup.
Thinking Machines Lab, under the leadership of Mira Murati, has been a notable player in the AI sector. Tulloch’s contributions as a co-founder were considered integral to the company’s development and direction. His decision to leave for Meta represents a significant loss for the startup, raising questions about its future strategy and ability to retain key personnel in a competitive AI talent market. The specific role Tulloch held at Thinking Machines Lab prior to his departure was not disclosed in available reports.
Meta’s AI Recruitment Strategy
Meta’s pursuit of Andrew Tulloch is part of a broader, aggressive strategy to bolster its AI capabilities. Reports surfaced in August 2025 indicating that Meta, led by Mark Zuckerberg, had made an offer to acquire Thinking Machines Lab outright. When the acquisition failed to materialize, Meta reportedly focused its efforts on recruiting Tulloch directly. The Wall Street Journal reported that Meta’s compensation package offered to Tulloch could have been worth up to $1.5 billion over at least six years. However, a Meta spokesperson characterized the description of the offer as “inaccurate and ridiculous.”
The attempt to recruit Tulloch, regardless of the precise details of the offer, highlights the intense competition for AI talent among major tech companies. Meta’s willingness to pursue both acquisition and individual recruitment strategies underscores the strategic importance of AI to its future plans. The addition of a researcher with Tulloch’s background, having previously worked at OpenAI and Facebook’s AI Research Group, is expected to strengthen Meta’s position in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.
Andrew Tulloch’s Background
Prior to co-founding Thinking Machines Lab, Andrew Tulloch gained experience at both OpenAI and Facebook’s AI Research Group. His background in AI research positions him as a valuable asset for Meta, which is actively investing in various AI initiatives. While the specific nature of Tulloch’s work at OpenAI and Facebook’s AI Research Group remains undisclosed in available reporting, his experience in these prominent organizations suggests a strong foundation in AI technologies and methodologies.
The move to Meta represents a continuation of Tulloch’s career within the upper echelons of the AI industry. His decision to join Meta, after co-founding an AI startup and previously working at OpenAI and Facebook, suggests a strategic focus on contributing to the development of AI within large-scale organizations. The specific projects or teams Tulloch will be involved with at Meta have not been publicly announced.
Implications for the AI Landscape
Andrew Tulloch’s move to Meta underscores the ongoing consolidation of AI talent within a small number of major tech companies. The competitive pressures in the AI market are driving companies to aggressively pursue both acquisitions and individual recruitment strategies to secure the expertise needed to advance their AI initiatives. This trend raises questions about the future of independent AI startups and their ability to compete with the resources and reach of larger corporations.
The departure of a co-founder from Thinking Machines Lab also highlights the challenges faced by AI startups in retaining key personnel. While Thinking Machines Lab continues to operate under the leadership of Mira Murati, the loss of Tulloch could impact the company’s strategic direction and its ability to attract future talent. The long-term effects of Tulloch’s move on both Thinking Machines Lab and the broader AI landscape remain to be seen.
In conclusion, Andrew Tulloch’s move from Thinking Machines Lab to Meta represents a significant development in the AI industry. The acquisition of Tulloch underscores the importance of AI expertise, and the competitive nature of the current environment. This transfer of talent will likely have implications for both Thinking Machines Lab and Meta as they navigate the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.
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