Thinking Machines has terminated CTO Barret Zoph over alleged unethical conduct, including sharing confidential information with competitors, as he rejoins OpenAI with two other researchers.
Thinking Machines has terminated Chief Technology Officer Barret Zoph following allegations of unethical conduct, according to internal sources. The termination came hours before OpenAI announced Zoph's return alongside researchers Luke Metz and Sam Schoenholz. OpenAI CEO Fidji Simo confirmed the transition had been "in the works for several weeks," with Zoph reporting directly to Simo.
Sources close to Thinking Machines allege Zoph shared confidential company information with competitors during his tenure. This development deals a significant operational blow to Thinking Machines Lab, which recently positioned itself as a leader in foundation model development. Soumith Chintala, known for his work on PyTorch at Meta, immediately assumed the CTO role.
The timing raises strategic questions about talent movement between AI labs. OpenAI gains three experienced researchers amid intensifying competition for specialized AI talent, with top engineers commanding compensation packages exceeding $10 million annually. Meanwhile, Thinking Machines faces leadership instability during a critical growth phase where C-suite continuity impacts investor confidence.
Industry analysts note this incident highlights growing concerns about intellectual property protection in the $200 billion AI sector. Non-compete enforcement remains inconsistent across jurisdictions, creating vulnerability for AI startups housing proprietary architectures. Recent court rulings in California have weakened non-compete clauses, potentially accelerating talent migration between well-funded competitors.
Neither company disclosed specific details about Zoph's new responsibilities at OpenAI, though internal communications indicate he'll lead advanced systems research. The situation underscores how personnel transitions between major AI labs increasingly involve complex legal and ethical dimensions beyond standard recruitment.
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