Indian computer scientist and AI researcher Soumith Chintala has been appointed as the new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Thinking Machines Lab, an AI startup co-founded by Mira Murati, a former executive at OpenAI. His appointment in 2026 is expected to steer the company’s research and technological advancements, marking a significant turn in its trajectory.
Chintala, renowned globally for his contributions to deep learning and open-source software, began his journey in Hyderabad, India. His strong aptitude for mathematics and computing propelled him toward higher education, culminating in a B.Tech in Information Technology from the prestigious Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT). He later pursued a Master’s in Computer Science at New York University (NYU), where he honed his focus on artificial intelligence and deep learning research.
Before joining Thinking Machines Lab, Chintala had an extensive tenure at Meta (formerly Facebook), where he spent 11 years in various senior technical leadership roles, including vice president of AI infrastructure. His role was pivotal in the development and scaling of tools for AI research, most notably as a co-creator of PyTorch, the widely-used open-source deep learning framework that has become foundational in both academia and industry.
Chintala’s work on PyTorch has transformed the landscape of AI model development, offering a framework that balances flexibility and efficiency. This innovation has allowed developers to construct AI models more intuitively while ensuring high performance on modern hardware such as GPUs. The framework’s popularity underscores Chintala’s vision to democratize AI development through open-source tools.
Following his departure from Meta in late 2025, Chintala took on a role at Thinking Machines Lab, focusing on advancing AI research and developing innovative products. His elevation to CTO in 2026 signifies a crucial shift in the company’s technical strategy, where he will define research directions and oversee the scaling of its AI infrastructure. While specific innovations and products under his leadership remain unspecified, Chintala’s expertise is poised to significantly impact the AI sector.
Chintala is recognized not just for his technical prowess but also for his influence on AI policy and industry standards. His transition from hands-on research to an executive role illustrates the increasing importance of deep technical knowledge in guiding AI-centric organizations. This shift emphasizes how technical expertise can translate into strategic leadership, ultimately shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
The long-term implications of Chintala’s leadership at Thinking Machines Lab may well extend beyond product development. Given his extensive background and the current dynamics of the AI landscape, he could play a vital role in shaping how AI technologies are adopted and integrated across various industries. As the field continues to evolve, Chintala’s contributions will likely resonate throughout the AI community, influencing both research and practical applications.
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