OpenAI, the San Francisco-based AI research powerhouse behind ChatGPT, is grappling with a significant talent drain as several of its top researchers have exited to join Meta’s newly formed superintelligence team.
The departures come at a critical juncture in the global race to develop artificial general intelligence (AGI), intensifying the rivalry between OpenAI and Meta Platforms, Inc.
The situation has prompted internal unrest, urgent leadership interventions, and a rare company-wide shutdown aimed at retaining remaining talent and recalibrating internal strategies.
The Departures from OpenAI: Who’s Leaving and Why It Matters
At least eight senior researchers have reportedly left OpenAI in recent weeks, including:
- Lucas Beyer
- Alexander Kolesnikov
- Xiaohua Zhai
- Trapit Bansal – a key contributor to OpenAI’s o1 model
- Shengjia Zhao
- Jiahui Yu
- Shuchao Bi
- Hongyu Ren
Most of these researchers were based in OpenAI’s Zurich office and had previously worked at Google DeepMind, making their expertise in AI reasoning and vision models highly coveted.
Their move to Meta signals a strategic escalation in the AI talent war, with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg reportedly playing a direct role in recruitment efforts.
Meta’s Recruitment Tactics: Big Offers, Bigger Ambitions
According to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Meta has made “giant offers”, including rumored signing bonuses exceeding $100 million, to lure top talent.
While some researchers, like Lucas Beyer, have denied receiving such massive payouts, the perception of aggressive poaching has rattled OpenAI’s leadership.
Meta’s goal is clear: to build a superintelligence lab capable of rivaling OpenAI’s advancements in AGI.
A source close to Meta told Wired that “for top talent, the sky is the limit” when it comes to compensation.
OpenAI’s Response: Recalibration and Reassurance
In an internal Slack memo, OpenAI’s Chief Research Officer Mark Chen acknowledged the emotional toll of the departures, writing, “I feel a visceral feeling right now, as if someone has broken into our home and stolen something”.
To stem the exodus, OpenAI is:
- Recalibrating compensation structures
- Exploring creative retention strategies
- Conducting personal outreach to employees approached by competitors
- Emphasizing mission alignment and long-term purpose over short-term gains
Despite the turmoil, Sam maintains that “none of our best people have decided to take [Meta] up on that,” suggesting that OpenAI’s culture and vision remain strong retention levers.
A Timely Shutdown at OpenAI: Rest or Risk?
OpenAI has announced a rare one-week company-wide shutdown.
The break is intended to help employees recover after enduring several months of intense 80-hour workweeks.
However, Mark warned that Meta might exploit this downtime to pressure employees into making quick decisions “in isolation”.
Only top executives will remain on duty during the break, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
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