The competition between OpenAI and Meta for top AI talent has intensified, leading to significant increases in compensation packages. Meta's aggressive recruitment strategy, aimed at bolstering its superintelligence lab, involves hiring senior AI specialists from OpenAI, including experts in deep learning. These efforts follow earlier acquisitions from OpenAI's Zurich office, raising concerns about a potential talent drain.
Reportedly, Meta is offering substantial signing bonuses, allegedly reaching up to $100 million per engineer, to attract key individuals. In response, OpenAI is reassessing its compensation structure to retain its top researchers and counter Meta's offers. OpenAI's Chief Research Officer, Mark Chen, expressed concern over the situation, emphasising the company's commitment to recognising and rewarding its best talent.
While Meta executives have downplayed the specific figures, the company has confirmed the hires, underscoring the competitive landscape for AI expertise. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has stressed the importance of a mission-driven culture over purely financial incentives, though the company is actively working to counter the aggressive recruitment tactics.
