(NewsNation) — Meta Platforms Inc. has hired Andrew Tulloch, co-founder of Thinking Machines Lab, though the terms of his compensation package remain undisclosed amid conflicting reports about a previously rejected offer.
The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday that Tulloch has left the startup co-founded with former OpenAI Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati to join Meta. A spokesperson for Thinking Machines Lab confirmed only that Tulloch “has decided to pursue a different path for personal reasons.”
Multiple outlets have linked the hire to an earlier Journal report from August stating Meta offered Tulloch a compensation package worth up to $1.5 billion over six years, an offer he rejected at the time.
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However, a Meta spokesman called that description “inaccurate and ridiculous,” noting compensation packages are contingent on stock performance.
The actual terms of Tulloch’s current agreement with Meta are not public, and it remains unclear whether the new offer resembles the disputed August proposal, the Journal reported.
The hire adds to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s aggressive recruiting campaign targeting top AI researchers from competitors, including OpenAI, Anthropic and Google DeepMind.
In June, Meta acquired a 49% stake in Scale AI for $14.3 billion, bringing founder Alexandr Wang aboard as chief AI officer. Meta also reportedly hired former Apple manager Ruoming Pang with a $200 million compensation package in July, though specific terms have not been independently verified.
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OpenAI CEO Sam Altman claimed earlier this year that Meta offered some employees bonuses up to $100 million, a statement Meta Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth refuted.
The competition for AI talent extends across the industry.
Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman has recruited at least 24 employees from Google’s DeepMind division, while Google signed deals worth $2.4 billion with AI startup Windsurf and $2.7 billion with Character.AI to secure researchers.
Meta committed up to $72 billion toward AI facilities this year, Microsoft $80 billion and Google up to $85 billion.
