Factory vs Cognition: ex-advisor publicly rebuts 'snake' accusations in AI talent spat

dylan522p · x · 2026-10-01

A public dispute erupts between AI coding-agent companies Factory and Cognition over a departing advisor, with Factory implying he confided in Cognition executives around a board meeting.
The advisor, Brendan Ryan (@cwdegnan), publicly rebuts point by point: he resigned Monday, told Factory he was joining Cognition, declined a full-time counteroffer, and says his last board meeting was weeks before any Cognition contact.
He adds that Cognition never asked for Factory information nor would he provide it. Dylan Patel quipped 'someone is a snake here, just not sure who.'

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