In a notable shift within the global artificial intelligence sector, Andrew Tulloch, co-founder of Thinking Machines Lab, is reportedly leaving the Manila-based AI startup to join Meta Platforms Inc. The move underscores Meta’s continued investment in top-tier AI talent as it accelerates the development of generative AI, large language models (LLMs), and advanced machine learning infrastructure.
From Southeast Asia’s AI Pioneer to Meta’s Global Team
Tulloch co-founded Thinking Machines Lab in 2015 and played a central role in transforming the company into one of Southeast Asia’s leading AI consultancies. The firm gained recognition for its expertise in data science, predictive analytics, and enterprise AI integration, working with global corporations and government agencies on projects ranging from climate modeling to data-driven policy design.
At Meta, Tulloch is expected to take on a senior engineering role focused on scaling the company’s next-generation AI systems across its ecosystem of products, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, as well as enterprise offerings like Meta Workrooms.
Meta’s Expanding AI Vision
Meta’s recruitment of Tulloch comes as the company deepens its commitment to advancing responsible, scalable AI. The move aligns with ongoing efforts to enhance the Llama model family — Meta’s flagship large language model — and to integrate AI more deeply into its consumer and business platforms.
“Meta has been aggressively building its AI engineering bench, and hiring founders with real-world applied AI experience like Tulloch gives them an advantage in deploying scalable, responsible systems,” said one industry analyst. The appointment reflects Meta’s strategic emphasis on pairing startup-style agility with big tech infrastructure to lead the next wave of AI innovation.
Thinking Machines Lab to Continue Under New Leadership
Despite Tulloch’s departure, Thinking Machines Lab is expected to continue operations under its remaining leadership team. The company maintains several ongoing initiatives in data infrastructure, AI ethics, and corporate digital transformation across the Asia-Pacific region.
Founded nearly a decade ago, Thinking Machines has become a regional thought leader in ethical and practical AI deployment, helping both private and public organizations harness data for social and business impact.
Part of a Larger Industry Trend
Tulloch’s move reflects a broader trend of AI startup founders joining major technology firms, as companies like Meta, Google, and OpenAI compete for the world’s top machine learning talent. With AI research and deployment entering an accelerated phase globally, such transitions highlight the increasing demand for leaders who combine technical expertise with hands-on implementation experience.
Neither Meta nor Tulloch has issued an official statement on the appointment. However, his recruitment reinforces Meta’s position as a key player in the next era of AI innovation — one that blends entrepreneurial creativity with enterprise-scale execution.
