**Meta Platforms Lures Apple Engineer with $200 Million Offer**
Meta Platforms, led by Mark Zuckerberg, has been aggressively expanding its artificial intelligence (AI) division, notably attracting talent from competitors like OpenAI. Recent reports indicate that Meta has offered a staggering compensation package exceeding $200 million to recruit Ruoming Pang, a distinguished engineer from Apple Inc., for its “superintelligence team.”
Pang, who previously led Apple’s AI models team, is set to receive this lucrative offer over several years, aligning with Meta’s strategy to build AI systems that can perform tasks at or above human capability. Sources suggest that Apple’s refusal to match Meta’s offer stems from the fact that it would significantly surpass the compensation of several of its executives, including CEO Tim Cook, whose pay package was recently increased by 18% to $74.6 million for 2024.
While Apple has not commented on the situation, Meta has also chosen to remain silent regarding the specifics of the offer.
The reported compensation structure for Meta’s superintelligence team includes a base salary, a signing bonus, and Meta shares, with stock options being the most substantial component. These packages are designed to be performance-based, with payouts tied to specific milestones and metrics, such as the growth of Meta’s stock. Employees who leave before the end of their contracts may not receive the full benefits of their compensation.
Meta’s superintelligence team has already welcomed notable figures, including AI startup founder Daniel Gross, former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman, and Scale AI co-founder Alexandr Wang, who was offered the position of chief AI officer. Meta’s acquisition of a 49% stake in Scale AI for $14.3 billion further underscores its commitment to advancing AI technology.
In a recent podcast, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman revealed that Meta had previously offered his employees $100 million signing bonuses to join its superintelligence team, although many chose to stay with OpenAI due to its favorable work culture. As of now, Meta has successfully onboarded at least ten individuals into its AI division.
In conclusion, Meta’s aggressive hiring strategy and substantial compensation packages reflect its ambition to lead in the AI sector, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape in technology.
**FAQ**
**Q: What is Meta’s superintelligence team focused on?**
A: Meta’s superintelligence team aims to develop AI systems capable of performing tasks as well as or better than humans, leveraging top talent from the tech industry.
