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2mo ago

Meta’s Superintelligence Labs Scales Up With Nine-Figure Hires and PlayAI Acquisition

Meta’s nine-figure compensation packages have prompted a counteroffensive by rivals, triggering concerns about culture and diversity

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Mark Zuckerberg means business.
Mira Murati, who worked with Sam Altman at Open AI, started Thinking Machines Lab, which recently raised $2 billion from investors

Overview

  • Meta is offering total pay packages of up to $300 million over four years to top AI researchers, with some first-year deals exceeding $100 million.
  • The company finalized its acquisition of voice AI startup PlayAI, bringing its 59-member team into Superintelligence Labs under Johan Schalkwyk.
  • Google DeepMind, Microsoft and AWS have responded with enhanced equity grants and rapid vesting schedules to retain elite AI talent.
  • Industry figures including Michael Dell have warned that the widening pay gap between new and existing staff risks eroding morale and fueling internal resentment.
  • Of the 18 confirmed members of Superintelligence Labs, just one is a woman and none are Black or Latino, raising fresh diversity and inclusion questions.