Meta is not playing small in the AI race. In its boldest move yet, Meta has offered a stunning $200 million (approximately ₹1670 crore) compensation package to former Apple engineer Ruoming Pang to join its newly formed Superintelligence Group. This massive hiring reflects Meta’s aggressive plan to compete with OpenAI and Google in the generative AI space.
Why is Meta paying $200 million?
Under the leadership of Mark Zuckerberg, Meta is rapidly expanding its AI capabilities, aiming to challenge the dominance of ChatGPT maker OpenAI and Google’s Gemini in the generative AI segment. This $200 million package is not just a salary; it includes bonuses, stock options, and compensation to cover Pang’s unvested Apple shares if he leaves to join Meta. This ensures top talent like Pang can focus solely on building Meta’s advanced AI models without financial distractions.
The Superintelligence Group’s mission
Meta’s Superintelligence Group is a newly created elite team working on developing next-generation AI models that could outperform current leaders like ChatGPT and Google Gemini. Recently, Meta also hired Trapit Bansal, a Kanpur IIT graduate, with a $100 million (₹800 crore) package to strengthen this team. This hiring wave shows Meta’s commitment to attract the best minds globally to secure its position in the rapidly evolving AI industry.
The AI race is heating up
According to Similarweb data, OpenAI currently dominates the generative AI tools market with over 150 million monthly users, followed closely by Google. Meta plans to challenge this position by leveraging its existing Meta AI, which is already integrated across WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook, making it accessible to billions of users. The goal is to improve Meta AI’s generative capabilities to provide smarter, faster, and context-aware assistance, directly competing with ChatGPT.
Why is this important for the AI industry?
Meta’s aggressive hiring and heavy investments reflect a crucial shift in the AI industry where companies are ready to spend billions to attract and retain top AI talent. For AI engineers and researchers, this signals a new era where high compensation packages and equity stakes will become standard in exchange for cutting-edge contributions to the AI field.
Will Meta dethrone OpenAI?
While OpenAI continues to lead in terms of user adoption and technological leadership, Meta’s vast user base and resources give it a significant advantage if it successfully scales its Superintelligence initiatives. With Pang and Bansal on board, Meta is positioned to accelerate its AI advancements and potentially redefine the generative AI landscape.
As the AI race intensifies, these high-profile hirings will shape the future of how AI is integrated into everyday digital experiences. Whether Meta can dethrone OpenAI will depend on its execution, but one thing is certain: the competition in AI is now fiercer than ever.