In a shocking turn of events, Mira Murati’s AI startup, Thinking Machines Lab, has turned down jaw-dropping job offers from Meta, led by Mark Zuckerberg. Not a single researcher accepted the deals, which included one massive $1 billion package. This bold move shows the team’s belief in their mission over money. At AMERICA NEWS WORLD (ANW), we dive into why this happened and what it means for the AI world.
The Big Offer That Fell Flat
Meta, a tech giant, is racing to build its Meta Superintelligence Labs. To do this, they need top talent. So, they targeted Thinking Machines Lab, a San Francisco-based startup founded by Mira Murati, former OpenAI CTO. According to Wired, Meta offered over a dozen researchers packages ranging from $200 million to $1 billion over several years. One standout offer was a staggering $1 billion for a single researcher. Yet, no one took the bait.
Mira Murati confirmed to Wired, “So far at Thinking Machines Lab, not a single person has accepted the offer.” Meanwhile, Meta’s spokesperson, Andy Stone, pushed back. He said the offers were made to only a few people, and the details were “off.” Still, the news has sent shockwaves through the tech world.
Why Did They Say No?
First, let’s look at Thinking Machines Lab. Founded in February 2025, it’s already valued at $12 billion after raising $2 billion in a record-breaking seed round. Even without a product, the startup is a hot name in AI. Murati, known for her work on ChatGPT and DALL-E at OpenAI, leads a team of 50 researchers. They’re focused on building multimodal AI that works with humans in fields like science and coding.
So, why reject Meta’s cash? For one, the team believes in Murati’s vision. They want to shape AI’s future without the limits of a big corporation. Plus, many feel their equity in the startup could be worth more than Meta’s offers. Another reason is leadership concerns. Meta’s new AI lab is led by Alexandr Wang and Nat Friedman. Some researchers worry about Wang’s lack of experience in leading deep AI research, as reported by Wired.
Finally, Meta’s focus on AI for Facebook and Instagram doesn’t excite everyone. Thinking Machines Lab aims for artificial general intelligence (AGI), a bigger goal. As a result, the team chose independence over billions.
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What This Means for AI
This rejection is a big deal. It shows that money isn’t everything in the AI talent war. Top researchers want purpose, freedom, and a chance to make history. For Meta, it’s a setback. They’ve already spent billions, including a $14.3 billion deal for a stake in Scale AI. Yet, they’re struggling to attract the best minds.
On the other hand, Thinking Machines Lab’s move boosts its reputation. It proves Murati’s leadership and her team’s trust in her. The startup plans to launch its first product soon, with open-source features to help researchers and startups. This could shake up the AI world.
At AMERICA NEWS WORLD (ANW), we’re keeping an eye on this story. Visit america112.com for more tech updates.
Data: The AI Talent War in Numbers
Here’s a quick look at the numbers behind this story:
- Thinking Machines Lab Valuation: $12 billion (July 2025)
- Meta’s Offers: $200 million to $1 billion per researcher
- Researchers Approached: Over a dozen
- Acceptances: Zero
- Meta’s AI Spending: $47.5 billion in Q2 2025 revenue, with billions for AI
Chart: AI Startup Valuations in 2025
This chart shows how Thinking Machines Lab stacks up against other AI giants. Despite its youth, its $12 billion valuation is impressive.
Why This Story Matters to You
Whether you’re in India, the USA, or anywhere else, AI is changing the world. From healthcare to education, AI’s impact is huge. This story shows how the people behind AI are choosing their path. For young readers, it’s a lesson in chasing dreams over dollars. For tech fans, it’s a glimpse into the AI race.
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Image
Caption: Mira Murati leads Thinking Machines Lab with a bold vision. (Source: Unsplash)
Final Note
This story is just the start. As AI grows, AMERICA NEWS WORLD (ANW) will keep you posted. Visit america112.com for more.