Meta has reportedly extended a staggering compensation offer worth up to $250 million over four years to top AI talent. The move highlights fierce competition for elite researchers in the race to build superintelligent systems.
Meta is ramping up its AI race by offering massive compensation packages to top talent. In one standout case, the company extended a deal worth up to $250 million to a 24-year-old AI researcher, Matt Deitke. The offer included a reported $100 million in the first year alone.
Deitke initially declined Meta’s approach. But after a personal meeting with Mark Zuckerberg, he reconsidered and accepted the updated offer. This highlights how serious Meta is about building its new division, Meta Superintelligence Lab (MSL).
Meanwhile, Meta also targeted several employees at Thinking Machines Lab, an AI startup founded by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati. Reports suggest some offers went beyond $1 billion across multiple years.
Despite these eye-popping numbers, none of Murati’s team accepted Meta’s offers. Sources say the team stayed loyal to their startup and questioned Meta’s long-term AI direction and internal leadership.
Meta’s recruitment push shows how fierce the AI talent war has become. With billions being offered, companies are treating top AI minds like star athletes.
While the deals might secure talent, critics warn of ethical concerns. Questions around power concentration, alignment, and AI safety continue to grow as these mega-offers make headlines.
For now, Meta appears willing to spend whatever it takes to lead in superintelligent AI — even if that means rewriting the rules of recruitment.
