Thinking Machines Loses Co-Founders as Key Leaders Return to OpenAI

• Mira Murati's AI startup, Thinking Machines, sees two co-founders and a senior researcher depart to rejoin OpenAI.
• Co-founder and CTO Barret Zoph, along with co-founder Luke Metz and researcher Sam Schoenholz, are returning to OpenAI.
• Soumith Chintala has been appointed as the new CTO for Thinking Machines, replacing Zoph.
• The departures are significant as Zoph, Metz, and Schoenholz previously held senior roles at OpenAI.
• Thinking Machines, launched in September 2024, recently secured a $2 billion seed round, valuing it at $12 billion.

Why It Matters: Mira Murati's AI startup faces early leadership exits as key talent returns to OpenAI.