As Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg ramps up efforts to establish a cutting-edge superintelligence lab, the company is reportedly offering lucrative compensation packages to lure top AI talent. According to WIRED, these packages can reach up to $300 million over four years, with more than $100 million in total compensation for the first year alone.
Meta has made at least ten significant offers to employees from OpenAI, insiders reveal. One high-ranking researcher was even offered the role of chief scientist but declined, multiple sources with direct knowledge of the negotiations have confirmed. The compensation package includes equity, with the stock vesting immediately in the first year, sources say.
“That’s about how much it would take for me to go work at Meta,” commented an OpenAI staffer anonymously to WIRED, noting the substantial financial incentive. However, some employees are weighing the financial benefits against the potential impact they could have at Meta versus OpenAI, with several believing they could make a more significant difference at OpenAI.
Industry Reactions and Meta’s Response
Meta spokesperson Andy Stone has refuted claims about the size and structure of these compensation packages, stating, “These statements are untrue – the size and structure of these compensation packages have been misrepresented all over the place.” He suggests that some individuals may be exaggerating the situation for personal reasons.
A senior engineer at Meta confirmed to WIRED that their pay was approximately $850,000 per year, a substantial sum that is still overshadowed by the new offers. Engineers at the E7 level at Meta reportedly earn an average of $1.54 million annually, according to data from Levels.FYI.
Andrew Bosworth, Meta’s chief technology officer, addressed the issue during a Q&A session with employees, clarifying that not everyone is receiving a $100 million offer. “Look, you guys, the market’s hot. It’s not that hot. Okay? So it’s just a lie,” he stated. Bosworth emphasized that only a small number of leadership roles command such premiums and noted that OpenAI is actively countering these offers.
Comparative Analysis with Industry Leaders
To provide context, the total compensation for top executives in the tech industry can be similarly high. For instance, Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella received $79.1 million in total compensation in 2024, primarily in stock, according to a financial filing. Similarly, Uber’s CEO Dara Khosrowshahi earned approximately $39.4 million, again mostly in stock.
The comparison underscores the competitive nature of compensation packages in the tech industry, particularly for roles involving cutting-edge AI research and development.
Strategic Moves and Future Implications
On Monday, Mark Zuckerberg announced the formation of the new superintelligence team at Meta. Alexandr Wang, formerly the CEO of Scale AI, has been appointed as Meta’s chief AI officer. He will be joined by Nat Friedman, who previously led GitHub. Together, Wang and Friedman will co-lead the newly established Meta Superintelligence Labs. Notably, the company has not named a chief scientist or chief research officer in this announcement, and neither Wang nor Friedman are traditionally seen as researchers.
According to a source familiar with the contracts, none of the OpenAI staffers who transitioned to Meta received the purported $300 million offer. This strategic recruitment drive highlights Meta’s commitment to advancing its AI capabilities, aiming to position itself at the forefront of AI innovation.
The announcement comes as the tech industry faces a fierce competition for AI talent, with companies vying to secure the best minds to drive future technological advancements. As Meta continues to build its superintelligence lab, the implications for the AI landscape could be significant, potentially reshaping the competitive dynamics in the sector.
As the AI talent war intensifies, the industry will be watching closely to see how these developments unfold and what impact they will have on innovation and market leadership in the years to come.
