Meta Boosts AI Ambitions with Hire of Ex-OpenAI Scientist Shengjia Zhao
Meta's new Superintelligence Lab, led by Shengjia Zhao, signals a significant talent shift from OpenAI amidst a competitive AI landscape.
Key Points
- • Shengjia Zhao appointed chief scientist of Meta's Superintelligence Lab.
- • At least eight researchers have moved from OpenAI to Meta recently.
- • Meta is investing over $14 billion in AI, aiming to lead in AGI.
- • OpenAI has expressed concerns over Meta's aggressive talent recruitment tactics.
Meta Platforms has officially named Shengjia Zhao, a significant contributor to the development of OpenAI’s GPT-4, as the chief scientist of its newly established Superintelligence Lab. This appointment marks a pivotal move in Meta's strategy to bolster its position within the artificial intelligence landscape, particularly as a response to the intensifying competition for top AI talent.
Zhao's recruitment is part of a broader trend, with at least eight prominent researchers migrating from OpenAI to Meta, reflecting a notable shift in the AI workforce. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has expressed high hopes for Zhao's leadership in guiding the lab's scientific direction and enhancing collaboration with Meta's Chief AI Officer, Alexandr Wang. The Superintelligence Lab is envisioned to push the boundaries of artificial general intelligence (AGI), distinctly separate from Meta's existing AI research unit, FAIR, which focuses primarily on foundational AI research.
In a commitment to transparency, Zuckerberg has announced that the lab's findings and advancements will be open-sourced. This decision has garnered mixed reactions within the AI community, with advocates supporting the initiative for greater collaboration, while skeptics raise concerns about the potential risks involved.
The hiring spree at Meta has not gone unnoticed by OpenAI, which has voiced significant concerns regarding these aggressive recruitment tactics. Mark Chen, OpenAI’s Chief Research Officer, characterized the situation as akin to "someone breaking into our home and stealing something." To combat the talent exodus, OpenAI is reportedly reevaluating its compensation structures and enhancing benefits to retain its existing workforce.
Meta’s financial prowess is evident via its substantial investment exceeding $14 billion in AI infrastructure and partnerships, underscoring its ambition to become a leading force in AI innovation. Reports indicate that Meta has been offering lucrative compensation packages, including signing bonuses that could reach up to $100 million, although some unverified claims suggest even higher total offers, such as $1.25 billion over four years. With the competitive landscape evolving rapidly, the outcomes of this recruitment trend could have lasting implications for the AI sector overall.
As of now, Meta appears resolute in its mission to lead the next wave of AI advancements, reflecting both a strategic investment in talent and a commitment to pioneering technologies that could redefine the field.