Meta Lures OpenAI Staff

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman cast doubt on Meta Platforms’ ambitions for AI by alleging the social media giant is attempting to lure its staff with substantial signing bonuses of up to $100 million. He made the allegation in a podcast presented by his brother.

The executive apparently cast aspersions on Meta Platforms’ progress in the AI field, but added that no OpenAI developers approached by the company had jumped ship. OpenAI is not the only company Meta Platforms is attempting to lure staff away from. The social media company is targeting a leading role in artificial general intelligence.

Meta had poached top staff in the past and recently hired Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang, a former roommate of Altman. Wang is familiar with the work of many potential Meta Platforms AI rivals, which makes his recruitment something of a fillip for the company. Altman said he respected Meta's wooing of OpenAI staff, but believes they choose to stay put due to concerns over its ability to innovate.