Meta's Bold Move in the AI Talent War
Meta, under the leadership of CEO Mark Zuckerberg, has launched an aggressive recruiting campaign aimed at bolstering its new superintelligence lab. The company recently approached more than a dozen staffers from Thinking Machines Lab, a startup founded by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, to discuss potential opportunities. According to reports, one of these individuals was offered a staggering package exceeding $1 billion over four years, highlighting the lengths to which Meta is willing to go to secure top-tier AI talent.
This move comes as part of a broader strategy by Meta to position itself as a leader in the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence sector. The company has already made significant investments, including a $14.3 billion deal for a 49% stake in Scale AI. Additionally, six senior researchers from OpenAI have reportedly joined Meta's superintelligence team, further underscoring the competitive nature of the industry.
Thinking Machines Lab: A Rising Powerhouse
Thinking Machines Lab, launched by Mira Murati in February 2025, has quickly emerged as a formidable player in the AI landscape. The startup was valued at $12 billion in its seed funding round, raising $2 billion led by prominent investors such as a16z. Murati, who gained prominence as OpenAI's interim CEO in 2023 during a brief leadership shakeup, has positioned her company to focus on building collaborative general intelligence and multimodal AI for natural human interaction.
Despite Meta's lucrative offers, none of the approached staffers from Thinking Machines Lab have accepted, suggesting that Murati's vision and the startup's potential may be compelling enough to retain talent. The company's ambitious goals include developing AI systems that are customizable and widely understood, with its first product expected to be unveiled soon.
The Escalating Battle for AI Dominance
The competition for AI expertise has intensified, with tech giants like Meta vying against startups and established players alike. Meta's offers, which include eye-watering pay packages and access to cutting-edge technology, reflect the high stakes of this talent war. Meanwhile, Thinking Machines Lab is also making waves by offering competitive salaries, with reports indicating base pay of up to $500,000 for key roles.
As this battle unfolds, the implications for innovation in AI are significant. Companies are not only competing for talent but also for the intellectual capital that will drive the next generation of AI breakthroughs. With Meta's aggressive tactics and Thinking Machines Lab's rapid ascent, the industry is poised for a transformative period of growth and rivalry.