OpenAI’s new hires spark debate as key figures from Thinking Machines face allegations
San Francisco: This week has been full of surprises for the AI world. OpenAI’s CEO of applications, Fidji Simo, announced the rehiring of Barret Zoph and Luke Metz. They are the founders of a startup called Thinking Machines Lab. Zoph and Metz had left OpenAI in late 2024.
There are mixed stories about why they left. A source says that people at Thinking Machines thought Zoph had done something very wrong last year. This hurt the trust between him and Mira Murati, the company’s leader. The source also mentioned that Murati fired Zoph on Wednesday because of issues linked to this incident. The company worried Zoph might have shared secret information with others. Zoph has not replied to requests for comments.
Simo sent a memo to staff saying that the rehiring plans were made weeks before. He mentioned that Zoph had told Murati on Monday that he was thinking of leaving before he was fired. Simo reassured employees that OpenAI doesn’t share Thinking Machines’ worries about Zoph’s ethics.
Alongside Zoph and Metz, another researcher named Sam Schoenholz is also coming back to OpenAI. Two more employees from Thinking Machines are expected to join soon.
One source said that the recent changes were not just about Zoph. Discussions at Thinking Machines were ongoing and related to the company’s goals and future. Thinking Machines Lab and OpenAI chose not to comment on these matters.
Many researchers in the AI field have expressed their fatigue with ongoing drama. This situation reminds some of an earlier incident in 2023 known as “the blip,” where Sam Altman was briefly ousted from OpenAI, with Murati playing a major role then.
The drama in the AI industry goes on, with many major figures leaving their roles. Some believe this is normal for a growing industry that can impact the economy. Still, many researchers who started before ChatGPT’s success are shocked by how much attention the industry is now receiving.
As long as companies can attract major investments, shifts in the AI workforce will keep happening. Writers for HBO Max should take notes.