Meta has poached another four researchers from OpenAI, bringing the total number of transitions to eight.
OpenAI management is urgently reviewing compensation and retention measures for the team.
Mark Chen announced an internal crisis, comparing the situation to a 'home invasion.'
Meta Corporation continues to actively poach employees from AI giant OpenAI. The company has attracted another four researchers, including Shengjia Zhao, Jiahui Yu, Shuchao Bi, and Hongyu Ren.
Thus, the total number of specialists who have transitioned in a week has reached eight. Earlier, the media reported on the departure of the first group of researchers who established OpenAI's Zurich office. These experts also previously worked together at Google DeepMind.
This outflow coincides with Meta's ambitions to strengthen the team developing the Llama project after the unsuccessful launch of the fourth generation model. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated that the competitor offers bonuses of up to $100 million, although Meta claims that the terms of the offers are more complex.
In response to the staff outflow, OpenAI has intensified internal work. Chief Scientist Mark Chen wrote on Slack that he feels what is happening as a 'home invasion' and assured that the management is not sitting idly by. The team is working on urgent changes.
According to Chen, compensation packages and methods of non-material motivation are being reviewed. The goal is to retain key members of the research team, especially amid intensified competition in the AI market.
Altman claims that so far none of the 'top people' have left OpenAI, but pressure from Meta has increased. This requires a review of the talent retention strategy and an internal rebranding of the company's mission, according to the firm's management.
Against the backdrop of the conflict, the parties are also exchanging public jabs. Altman criticizes 'excessive bonuses,' while Meta accuses OpenAI of distorting facts.
