Meta has recently boosted its AI team with four expert researchers who’ve made their mark at OpenAI. This move follows the notable addition of Trapit Bansal earlier this week, underlining Meta’s drive to refine its AI prowess.
The new team members—Shengjia Zhao, Jiahui Yu, Shuchao Bi, and Hongyu Ren—come on the back of the less-than-expected performance of Meta’s Llama 4 models, which fell short of CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s ambitions. With some industry benchmarks not meeting the mark, the company clearly sees a need for deeper expertise.
Tensions have also surfaced in the tech world. OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman has suggested that Meta is using very generous signing bonuses—rumoured to hit as high as $100 million—to woo top talent. In response, Meta’s CTO, Andrew Bosworth, explained that while hefty incentives are sometimes part of senior leaders’ offers, the complete package involves more nuance than just a bonus figure.
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the battle for AI expertise among tech giants, these developments offer plenty to consider. They not only highlight the competitive landscape for specialised talent but also remind us of the high stakes in advancing cutting-edge technology.
