The tech world is buzzing with one of the most audacious rejections in Silicon Valley history. Mira Murati, the Albanian-American AI pioneer and former OpenAI CTO, turned down a staggering $1 billion offer from Mark Zuckerberg to join Meta’s artificial intelligence division. But this isn’t just another acquisition story—it’s a testament to the explosive value of AI expertise in 2025.
Why Did Mira Murati Reject Meta’s Mega Offer?
Mira Murati launched an AI startup called Thinking Machines Lab in February 2025, just months after leaving her position as OpenAI’s chief technology officer. Industry experts believe Mira Murati declined the offer due to her long-standing commitment to keeping artificial intelligence development transparent, safe, and accessible.
The rejection wasn’t isolated. Meta offered some of Murati’s team members compensation packages ranging from $200 million to $1 billion to join its newly launched Superintelligence Lab, but every single offer was turned down. This collective “no” speaks volumes about the confidence in Murati’s vision.
The $10 Billion AI Startup That’s Shaking Silicon Valley
Thinking Machines Lab has closed a $2 billion seed round, valuing the 6-month-old startup at $10 billion—despite having no publicly announced product yet. This astronomical valuation makes it one of the most valuable AI startups in history.
Record-Breaking Fundraising Success
According to Business Insider reports from April 2025, Thinking Machines Lab doubled its initial fundraising goal from $1 billion to over $2 billion in less than two months. In 2025 so far, PitchBook names Lila Sciences as the largest closed seed deal—at $200 million, making Murati’s achievement unprecedented.
Who Is Mira Murati? The Mind Behind ChatGPT
Mira Murati, former chief technology officer of OpenAI, had been the driving force behind ChatGPT, the revolutionary AI model. Her Albanian roots and American education created a unique perspective that helped shape the AI revolution.
Key Achievements:
- Former OpenAI CTO: Spearheaded ChatGPT development
- Interim CEO: Briefly led OpenAI during leadership transitions
- AI Pioneer: Instrumental in breakthrough generative AI technologies
- Startup Founder: Created Thinking Machines Lab in early 2025
Meta’s Desperate AI Talent War
Zuckerberg’s massive offers highlight Meta’s urgent need to compete in the AI space. Andy Stone, Meta’s communication director, gave a rebuttal on the platform Threads while disputing with some figures, saying “This reporting isn’t right in various ways. We made offers only to a handful of people at TML”—but the core story remains: Meta is willing to pay unprecedented sums for top AI talent.
What’s Next for Thinking Machines Lab?
Thinking Machines will announce its first product soon, and the tech world is watching closely. The collective decision by Murati’s team to reject Meta’s enticing offer reflects strong confidence in her leadership and the long-term vision for the startup.
The Bigger Picture: AI’s Talent Gold Rush
Murati’s story exemplifies the current AI talent shortage. When former OpenAI executives can command billion-dollar valuations for startups without products, it signals how desperately the industry needs proven AI leadership.