Soumith Chintala, the new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Thinking Machine Labs is an Indian computer scientist, entrepreneur, and AI researcher who has become a prominent figure in the field of artificial intelligence.
Known globally for his contributions to deep learning and open-source software, he has played a critical role in shaping the tools that power modern AI research and applications. In 2026, Chintala was appointed CTO of Thinking Machines Lab, an AI startup co-founded by former OpenAI executive Mira Murati. His appointment is expected to influence the company’s research direction and technological growth in the coming years.
Soumith Chintala was born and raised in Hyderabad, India. From an early age, he demonstrated strong aptitude in mathematics and computing, which led him to pursue higher education in technology. He earned a B.Tech in Information Technology from Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), one of India’s leading engineering institutions.
Following his undergraduate degree, Chintala moved to the United States to pursue a Master’s in Computer Science at New York University (NYU), where he focused on artificial intelligence and deep learning research. His early academic experiences may have influenced his approach to AI development and open-source collaboration, though the specific impact is not fully documented.
READ: Indian American AI pioneer Soumith Chintala to leave Meta (
Career at Meta
Chintala spent 11 years at Meta (formerly Facebook), where he held several senior technical leadership positions, including vice-president of AI infrastructure. During his tenure, he was deeply involved in building and scaling tools for AI research, enabling engineers and researchers to develop advanced machine learning models efficiently. He is best known for his role in co-creating PyTorch, an open-source deep learning framework widely used in academia and industry for AI research and production.
PyTorch and Open-Source Contributions
Chintala’s work on PyTorch revolutionized the way researchers build and experiment with AI models. His contributions focused on creating a framework that is both flexible and efficient, allowing developers to write code that is intuitive while maintaining high performance on modern hardware like GPUs. PyTorch’s popularity is a testament to Chintala’s vision of open-source software democratizing AI development.
Thinking Machines Lab and CTO Role
After leaving Meta in November 2025, Chintala joined Thinking Machines Lab as part of its technical staff. The lab, co-founded by Mira Murati, focuses on advancing artificial intelligence research and developing cutting-edge AI products.
READ: Google taps Accenture ex-CTO Karthik Narain as new chief product and business officer (
In 2026, Chintala was appointed CTO, taking responsibility for defining the company’s technical strategy, overseeing research directions, and scaling the lab’s AI infrastructure. The specific innovations and products he will oversee, as well as their broader impact on the AI industry, remain uncertain.
Chintala is widely recognized for his contributions to AI research, software engineering, and open-source tools. By co-creating PyTorch and leading major AI initiatives at Meta, he has influenced countless researchers, developers, and startups. The long-term implications of his work at Thinking Machines Lab and his potential role in shaping AI policy, industry standards, and future technologies are yet to be determined.
Chintala’s career reflects the growing intersection of technical expertise, leadership, and innovation in the field of artificial intelligence. His transition from hands-on research and framework development to an executive role highlights how deep technical knowledge can translate into strategic guidance for AI-focused organizations. Beyond the tools and frameworks he has created, Chintala’s influence extends to shaping how AI is implemented, adopted, and scaled across industries.