Inside OpenAI’s Raid on Thinking Machines Lab
WIRED • • business
Key Points:
- OpenAI rehired Barret Zoph and Luke Metz, cofounders of Thinking Machines Lab, after their departure from the company in late 2024; the move sparked controversy due to allegations of serious misconduct by Zoph at Thinking Machines.
- Thinking Machines Lab reportedly fired Zoph over trust issues and concerns about potential sharing of confidential information, while OpenAI disputes these ethical concerns and claims the hires had been planned for weeks.
- Additional former Thinking Machines employees, including Sam Schoenholz, are joining OpenAI, with at least two more expected soon, highlighting ongoing talent shifts in the AI industry amid internal disagreements over company direction.
- The AI industry continues to experience frequent leadership changes and drama reminiscent of past upheavals,
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