High-Stakes AI Talent War: Cofounders Return to OpenAI Amidst Controversy
In a dramatic turn of events shaking the burgeoning artificial intelligence landscape, Barret Zoph and Luke Metz, two cofounders of the nascent AI lab Thinking Machines, are making a swift return to OpenAI, the powerhouse behind ChatGPT. This significant personnel shift, confirmed by OpenAI’s CEO of applications, Fidji Simo, in an internal memo on Thursday, signals a major win for the AI giant in the ongoing battle for top talent.
Allegations and Departures: The Zoph Controversy
The news, initially broken by technology reporter Kylie Robison on X, arrived with a contentious undercurrent. Robison reported that Barret Zoph was allegedly fired from Thinking Machines for “unethical conduct.” A source close to Thinking Machines further elaborated, suggesting Zoph had shared confidential company information with competitors. While WIRED was unable to independently verify these serious allegations with Zoph, who did not immediately respond to requests for comment, they cast a shadow over his departure.
According to Simo’s memo, Zoph had informed Thinking Machines CEO Mira Murati on Monday of his consideration to leave, only to be terminated today. Intriguingly, Simo’s communication explicitly states that OpenAI does not share the same concerns about Zoph that Murati reportedly holds. This divergence in perspective adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, raising questions about the nature of the alleged misconduct and OpenAI’s due diligence.
OpenAI’s Strategic Reacquisition of Talent
This reacquisition of key talent represents a substantial strategic victory for OpenAI. The company recently experienced a notable loss with the departure of its VP of research, Jerry Tworek, making the return of Zoph and Metz particularly timely. Furthermore, the exodus from Thinking Machines isn’t limited to its cofounders; Sam Schoenholz, another staffer from the lab, is also reportedly rejoining OpenAI, according to the same source.
Zoph and Metz had originally departed OpenAI in late 2024 to co-found Thinking Machines alongside Mira Murati, who herself had previously served as OpenAI’s chief technology officer. Their swift return, especially under such circumstances, underscores the intense competition for leading minds in the AI sector and the magnetic pull of established giants like OpenAI.
The implications for Thinking Machines Lab, now without two of its founding members and another key staffer, remain to be seen. For OpenAI, however, this move solidifies its talent pool and potentially strengthens its research and development capabilities at a critical juncture in the AI race.
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