Here’s a bombshell that’s rocking the tech world: a high-profile startup’s cofounder was ousted amid allegations of an office relationship, and now the fallout is sending shockwaves through the industry. But here’s where it gets controversial—was this relationship the real reason for his termination, or just a symptom of deeper issues within the company? Let’s dive in.
Last summer, leaders at Mira Murati’s Thinking Machines Lab—a cutting-edge AI startup—confronted cofounder and former CTO Barret Zoph about an alleged relationship with another employee, according to exclusive details obtained by WIRED. While the specifics remain private to protect those involved, sources suggest this relationship was likely the ‘misconduct’ referenced in earlier reports, including WIRED’s previous coverage. The employee in question, who held a leadership role in a different department, has since left the company.
And this is the part most people miss: The breakdown of Zoph’s working relationship with Murati didn’t happen overnight. After Murati approached Zoph to discuss the matter, tensions escalated over several months. During this period, Zoph began exploring opportunities with competitors, including conversations with leaders from Meta Superintelligence Labs. Ultimately, he landed at OpenAI, where CEO of applications Fidji Simo confirmed the hire had been in the works for weeks. Simo also made it clear that OpenAI did not share Thinking Machines’ ethical concerns about Zoph.
But the drama doesn’t end there. This week, a third Thinking Machines cofounder, Luke Metz, and at least three other researchers followed Zoph to OpenAI. Back in October, another cofounder, Andrew Tulloch, left for Meta. While the Zoph-Murati rift has grabbed headlines, it’s just one piece of a larger puzzle. Here’s the real question: Is this mass exodus a result of personal conflicts, or does it point to deeper disagreements about the company’s direction? WIRED previously reported internal misalignment over what Thinking Machines should prioritize, suggesting the latter might be true.
To add fuel to the fire, Thinking Machines was reportedly seeking to raise capital at a staggering $50 billion valuation in November, up from its current $12 billion. With such high stakes, it’s no wonder tensions are running high. But does this ambitious valuation reflect a company on solid ground, or one struggling to keep its talent and vision intact?
Now, here’s where we want to hear from you: Do you think Zoph’s termination was justified, or is this a case of workplace relationships being unfairly weaponized? And what does this exodus say about the future of Thinking Machines? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate you won’t want to miss.
Got a tip? If you’re a current or former researcher with insights into what’s really going on, we’d love to hear from you. Contact our reporter securely on Signal at mzeff.88 using a non-work device. Your anonymity is guaranteed.
