Meta has upped its AI game by welcoming four leading researchers from OpenAI — Jiahui Yu, Hongyu Ren, Shuchao Bi, and Shengjia Zhao. Renowned for their work on GPT-4.1 and other advanced models, they’re set to drive innovation on Meta’s Llama 5 project and a brand-new superintelligence team.
This shift marks a notable moment in the AI community. OpenAI engineer Cheng Lu described the departures as a major loss, underscoring just how competitive the race for expertise has become.
Meta’s CTO, Andrew Bosworth, recently addressed rumours about extravagant bonuses. He clarified that while impressive figures are circulating, these offers are part of multifaceted compensation packages rather than simple cash bonuses. This measured approach is part of Meta’s commitment to sustainable, strategic growth.
In addition, Lucas Beyer, along with Alexander Kolesnikov and Xiaohua Zhai, has also joined Meta. Even though there was buzz about a $100 million signing bonus, Beyer quickly put those claims to rest. With CEO Mark Zuckerberg reportedly leading the recruitment drive, Meta is positioning itself to not only deepen its AI expertise but also to enhance its appeal in entertainment and social engagement.
