Revealed: Meta's $100 Million Offer to Poach OpenAI Staff

Published On Wed Jun 18 2025
Revealed: Meta's $100 Million Offer to Poach OpenAI Staff

Sam Altman Claims Meta Tried to Poach OpenAI Staff, Offering as Much as $100 Million in Bonuses

CEO Sam Altman of OpenAI has made startling revelations about Meta's attempts to poach employees from his company. Altman disclosed that Meta not only offered lucrative bonuses but also an array of perks to entice OpenAI staff to join their AI projects.

Meta's Lucrative Offers

According to Altman, Meta was willing to provide signing bonuses of up to $100 million among other enticing benefits in a bid to strengthen its AI workforce. Despite the substantial offers, OpenAI employees chose to remain loyal and declined the tempting proposals put forth by Meta.

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AI/ML Guide

The Failed Poaching Attempts

In a recent episode of the "Uncapped" podcast hosted by Jack Altman, it was revealed that Meta repeatedly tried to persuade OpenAI staff to switch sides and contribute to their AI advancements. The efforts made by Meta extended beyond just a few employees, showcasing the tech giant's determination to acquire top talent from OpenAI.

Meta's Recruitment Strategy

Reports from The New York Times highlighted Meta's strategy, including significant perks, bonuses, and the opportunity to work closely with Mark Zuckerberg's team.

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Talent Acquisition Strategy

Employees targeted by Meta were also promised direct reporting to the division headed by former Scale AI CEO, Alexander Wang.

Competition in the Tech Industry

The tech industry is no stranger to employee poaching, with companies like Apple and Fitbit facing similar allegations in the past. While Meta's aggressive recruitment tactics have garnered attention, OpenAI remains focused on its goal of developing artificial general intelligence (AGI) which Altman believes will ultimately make the company more valuable than Meta.

Conclusion

Despite the allure of Meta's offers, OpenAI employees have chosen to stay committed to their mission of advancing AGI. Altman's insights into Meta's recruitment strategies shed light on the competitive nature of the tech industry and the ongoing battle for top talent.