Meta has reportedly hired four more researchers from OpenAI, continuing its trend of attracting talent from the rival AI company. Earlier reports noted that Meta had already recruited influential OpenAI researcher Trapit Bansal, and now The Information adds that Shengjia Zhao, Jiahui Yu, Shuchao Bi, and Hongyu Ren have also joined Meta’s ranks. These recent hires signal an aggressive push by Meta to bolster its AI research capabilities.
The timing of these new hires appears to be closely linked to Meta’s recent AI developments, particularly the launch of its Llama 4 models in April. Despite high expectations, these models reportedly fell short of CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s goals. Additionally, Meta faced criticism over the Llama version it used in certain benchmarks, suggesting that the company is seeking top-tier talent to improve future AI model performance and credibility.
Meta Hires More OpenAI Researchers as Talent War Heats Up with Massive Bonus Offers and AI AmbitionsMeta and OpenAI Clash Over AI Talent Amid Reports of Massive Signing Bonuses
The competitive dynamic between Meta and OpenAI has grown increasingly tense. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has publicly accused Meta of offering signing bonuses as high as $100 million to lure away researchers, though he downplayed the impact by stating that none of OpenAI’s top talent had left. This public statement underscores the high stakes involved in retaining and recruiting elite AI researchers in an increasingly cutthroat industry.
Meta’s CTO Andrew Bosworth responded by clarifying that while some senior leaders may have received offers involving large financial packages, the reality was more nuanced than a straightforward lump-sum bonus. This exchange illustrates the fierce competition for AI talent, as companies like Meta and OpenAI vie for the researchers who can drive the next breakthroughs in artificial intelligence.
