Why top minds like Mira Murati and Andrew Tulloch turned down Meta’s mega-money offers to stay loyal to ethical, open AI missions.
By GlobalTimesAI.com | August 6, 2025
In the fierce global race for AI dominance, billionaire offers have become the norm—but not all geniuses are tempted. Recent stories involving Mira Murati and Andrew Tulloch, as well as Matt Deitke, reveal a powerful trend: for some, purpose matters more than pay.
Mira Murati & Her Team Say “No” to Meta’s $1 Billion Offer
Mira Murati—former Chief Technology Officer at OpenAI and now founder of Thinking Machines Lab—has declined Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s eye-popping $1 billion recruitment offer. Not one member of her trusted team accepted similar invitations, which reportedly ranged from $200 million to $1 billion per person.
Murati, credited with leading innovations like ChatGPT, DALL·E, and Codex, has steered her small but fast-growing startup toward ethical, accessible AI. Her team’s collective refusal to defect underscores a commitment to her values-driven mission rather than quick financial gain.
Andrew Tulloch Rejects $1.5 Billion—Sticks to Independence
Joining Murati in principled defiance, Andrew Tulloch, a former OpenAI engineer and co-founder of Thinking Machines Lab, rejected a staggering $1.5 billion offer from Meta. Despite his high-profile background—including stints at Goldman Sachs, Meta, and Cambridge University—Tulloch chose autonomy and long-term vision over short-term reward.
Matt Deitke: Initially Declines, Then Joins Meta for $250M
By contrast, Matt Deitke, a 24-year-old wunderkind behind AI tools like Molmo and autonomous agents at Vercept, responded differently. After turning down a $125 million offer, he accepted when Zuckerberg returned with $250 million over four years, including $100 million upfront—after a personal meeting.
Deitke’s decision marked a rare case of big pay aligning with big opportunity—his work remains in high demand at Meta’s new Superintelligence Lab.
What Drives These Decisions: Money vs Mission
Vision and values are front and center for Murati and Tulloch. Their team stayed loyal amid one billion dollar offers because they believe in building ethical AI on their own terms. When asked by Wired, Murati said none of her team was swayed, even for packages worth that much.
In contrast, Deitke prioritized research infrastructure, broader exposure, and alignment with Meta’s superintelligence thrust.
What This Means for the AI Industry
- Talent isn’t just bought: Money matters—but vision matters more. Salaries in the hundreds of millions do not guarantee loyalty.
- Values-first culture resonates: Teams drawn to purpose-driven work are becoming more appealing than corporate AI labs.
- Meta is doubling down: The hiring blitz signals just how urgently companies need to secure top minds—from OpenAI, Google, Apple—even direct CEO involvement isn’t rare anymore.
Table: Who Said “No,” Who Said “Yes”?
| Expert | Offer Refused | Final Decision | Reason for Decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mira Murati (+Team) | Up to $1 billion+ | Refused collectively | Independence, ethics, long-term equity |
| Andrew Tulloch | $1.5 billion | Refused | Values-led innovation |
| Matt Deitke | $125 million → $250M | Accepted with revised offer | Research opportunity, infrastructure |
Why It Matters
- These stories show AI is more than algorithms—it’s people, purpose, and culture.
- As long as talent alignment defines leadership, ethical AI startups may outlast commercial titans.
- The “billion-dollar refusal” is now its own currency—credibility.
Final Thought
AI’s biggest currency isn’t stock or salary—it’s purpose-backed passion. For people like Murati and Tulloch, rejection is a statement; for Deitke, acceptance becomes stepping stone. Together, their choices are reshaping how we value the future of intelligence.
Disclaimer: All information presented in this article has been verified through reliable and publicly available sources. The images used are AI-generated and are intended for illustrative purposes only.