Archive · 18 Jan 2026

OpenAI poaches key talent from Thinking Machines Lab

OpenAI poaches key talent from Thinking Machines Lab

OpenAI, a big company that makes smart computer programs, has taken back some of its old workers from another company called Thinking Machines Lab.

Three important people from Thinking Machines Lab, who used to work at OpenAI, are going back.

Their names are Brett Zoph, Luke Metz, and Sam Schoenholz.

Brett will work for Fidji Simo, who is the boss of some parts of OpenAI.

Luke and Sam will work for Brett.

After this, it was found that two more people, Lia Guy and Ian O’Connell, are also leaving Thinking Machines Lab.

One of them, Lia, is going to OpenAI.

This is a big deal because companies are fighting to get the best people to work for them in the field of artificial intelligence.

Sources