Lilian Weng, cofounder of Thinking Machines Lab, left the startup citing health concerns and has now joined OpenAI to lead a team advancing self-improving AI research.
Lilian Weng exits Thinking Machines Lab to rejoin OpenAI as research lead, citing unsustainable startup pace and health concerns. This joins two other co-founder exits to OpenAI in months, highlighting AI talent migration from startups toward Big Tech consolidation.
In her new role at OpenAI, Weng will lead a team working on accelerating internal research
Jul 30, 2026
09:19 am
What's the storyLilian Weng, a co-founder of AI start-up Thinking Machines Lab, has announced her return to OpenAI.
The decision comes after a challenging period at the start-up, which took a toll on her health.
Lilian Weng rejoins OpenAI after leaving Thinking Machines Lab over the startup's grueling pace
Thinking Machines co-founder Lilian Weng left the company citing health reasons, then joined OpenAI | TechCrunch
Lilian Weng leaves Thinking Machines, rejoins OpenAI in days
Lilian Weng, co-founder of Thinking Machines Lab, has returned to OpenAI.
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Lilian Weng, a cofounder of Thinking Machines Lab, rejoins OpenAI to lead an AI research team that will aid the push for…
Weng previously served as the VP of AI Safety Research at OpenAI.
Lilian Weng stepped down from Thinking Machines over stress and illness, then rejoined OpenAI within days to work on recursive…
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Lilian Weng returns to OpenAI to lead recursive self-improvement research after departing in 2024 and co-founding Thinking…
Thinking Machines co-founder Lilian Weng has stepped down from the AI startup, citing health concerns, before quickly returning…
