Adept AI Co-founder Andrew Tulloch Joins Meta AI

Andrew Tulloch, a prominent figure in artificial intelligence research and a co-founder of the highly-funded AI agent startup Adept AI, has made a significant move to Meta AI. Tulloch has taken on the role of Senior Staff Research Scientist at Meta, marking a notable shift in the competitive AI talent landscape.

A Pioneer's Journey from PyTorch to Adept and Now Meta

Known for his foundational contributions to the PyTorch deep learning framework, Andrew Tulloch co-founded Adept AI with former Google Brain and OpenAI researchers. Adept AI garnered significant attention and funding (over $400 million) for its ambitious goal of building AI agents capable of performing complex tasks across various software applications, using models like the "Action Transformer" (ACT). His departure from Adept, where he played a crucial role in shaping its technical direction, is a considerable development for the startup.

The Implications: Strengthening Meta, a Loss for Adept

This high-profile hire underscores Meta's relentless pursuit of top-tier AI talent as it intensifies its efforts in AI research and product integration. Tulloch's expertise in deep learning, agentic AI, and large language models will undoubtedly bolster Meta's existing AI initiatives, including its foundational models, generative AI projects, and the development of more capable AI assistants. For Adept AI, the departure of a co-founder represents a challenge, though the company continues its work on advanced AI agents.

“We're building an operating system for the future. We're building a whole new world. That means hiring the best talent in the world to make that vision a reality.”
— Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta (on Meta's broad AI ambitions)

Why It Matters: The Ongoing AI Talent War

Tulloch's transition is a microcosm of the intense talent war currently gripping the AI industry. As companies like Meta, OpenAI, Google, and others race to develop the next generation of AI technologies, securing leading researchers and engineers is paramount. This move not only highlights Meta's aggressive recruitment strategy but also signals the increasing importance of expertise in agentic AI — systems designed to take actions and complete tasks — a field where Tulloch's contributions are highly valued. It reinforces the notion that the future of AI will heavily rely on the caliber of the minds driving its development.