Talent War Erupts As Meta Hires OpenAI Researchers

In response to Meta's aggressive recruitment of top artificial intelligence researchers, OpenAI's Chief Research Officer Mark Chen expressed deep concern in an internal memo, as reported by Wired magazine. The note follows a series of high-profile defections to Meta, which has reportedly offered massive compensation packages, including bonuses up to $100 million, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman earlier stated.

Meta has hired four senior OpenAI researchers to join its newly developed Meta Superintelligence Labs – an initiative designed to accelerate its AI capabilities. The unit is now headed by Alexander Wang, founder and former CEO of Scale AI, who was recently appointed. Meta has also targeted talent from other major firms, including Google. In the Slack memo, Chen described the situation as feeling "visceral, as if someone has broken into our home and stolen something". He noted that OpenAI is working "around the clock to talk to those with offers, and we're recalibrating comp, and we’re scoping out creative ways to recognise and reward top talent.”

The memo included the supportive messages from seven senior research leaders urging employees to stay, acknowledging the current strain many are under. In an effort to relieve burnout, the company plans a temporary shutdown next week to allow employees time to rest, according to multiple reports.