Meta’s AI Talent Grab Sparks Backlash
Mark Zuckerberg isn’t just building AI—he’s raiding the competition for their best minds. Over the past few weeks, Meta has quietly pulled off what might be the biggest talent heist in Silicon Valley this year, snagging top researchers from OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Anthropic. The move has left rivals scrambling, and tensions are running high.
According to an internal memo seen by CNBC, Zuckerberg announced the formation of “Meta Superintelligence Labs,” a new team led by Alexandr Wang, former CEO of Scale AI, and Nat Friedman, ex-GitHub CEO. The group includes researchers who’ve worked on some of the most advanced AI systems in the world. But the way they got there hasn’t sat well with everyone.
OpenAI Fights Back
OpenAI’s chief research officer, Mark Chen, didn’t mince words in a recent staff memo. He compared Meta’s recruitment tactics to a home invasion. “I feel a visceral feeling right now, as if someone has broken into our home and stolen something,” he wrote, according to Wired. The company reportedly gave employees a week off to regroup amid the chaos.
Rumors have swirled about Meta offering massive signing bonuses—up to $100 million, according to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Meta denies that figure, but there’s no question the incentives are substantial. Last week, OpenAI confirmed the departure of several key researchers, including Lucas Beyer, Alexander Kolesnikov, and Xiaohua Zhai—all now at Meta.
Chen claims Meta is using high-pressure tactics, like “exploding” bonuses that force quick decisions. OpenAI, meanwhile, is adjusting compensation and working “around the clock” to keep more staff from jumping ship.
Why This Matters
Zuckerberg’s memo frames this as a pivotal moment. “Developing superintelligence is coming into sight,” he wrote, calling it the start of a “new era.” Meta’s new lab will consolidate its AI efforts, bringing together foundational research, product teams, and a fresh push for next-gen models.
But Chen argues the real fight isn’t about poaching—it’s about who actually achieves general intelligence first. “The skirmishes with Meta are the side quest,” he wrote. Maybe. But if the best researchers keep migrating, the side quest might just decide the main story.
Meta’s stock inched up slightly after the news, though the bigger question is whether this hiring spree will translate into breakthroughs—or just more drama. For now, neither Meta nor OpenAI is talking publicly.
And honestly? This might just be the beginning. When the biggest names in AI are switching teams this fast, loyalty seems to be taking a backseat to ambition. Or maybe just really big paychecks.
