Meta Platforms is assembling an elite superintelligent team with compensation packages worth tens of millions of dollars. The company is attracting top AI experts from Google, OpenAI, and other tech giants for a new project focused on achieving superintelligence. This breakthrough move represents Mark Zuckerberg’s response to the lukewarm reception of the Llama 4 model and his effort to catch up with competitors.
Key AI Experts Join Meta’s Team
Among the most significant acquisitions is Jack Rae, a principal researcher from Google DeepMind, who is expected to join Meta’s superintelligent team for artificial intelligence. The company has also attracted Johan Schalkwyk, a machine learning lead from startup Sesame AI specializing in voice AI technologies.
Another strategic addition will be Alexandr Wang, co-founder and CEO of Scale AI, whose arrival is connected to Meta’s planned billion-dollar investment in this data company focused on AI data labeling. The investment announcement is expected in the coming days, which could reshape the AI research landscape.
Mark Zuckerberg’s Personal Recruitment Strategy
Meta’s CEO approaches recruitment personally and often contacts potential candidates directly from his homes in Lake Tahoe and Palo Alto. This unusual strategy underscores the priority Zuckerberg places on building the superintelligent AI team.
The company aims to hire approximately 50 artificial intelligence specialists, including a chief scientist to lead the group. Compensation packages for AI specialists include:
- Base salaries worth millions of dollars annually for AI research
- Significant stock options spread over several years
- Bonuses for achieving research milestones in superintelligence
- Exclusive access to the most advanced computational resources for AI training
Strategic Partnership with Scale AI Strengthens Data Capabilities
Meta is nearing the finalization of its investment in Scale AI, which uses thousands of contractors to label data needed for training AI models. This partnership strengthens one of the three fundamental pillars of AI development – quality training data for artificial intelligence.
Scale AI is considering appointing Jason Droege, its current chief strategy officer, as CEO after the transaction closes. Additional Scale employees will likely join Meta’s superintelligent team, creating synergy between both companies.
Competitive Response to Meta’s AI Offensive
Not all of Meta’s recruitment attempts have been successful in this AI talent war. The company failed to poach Koray Kavukcuoglu from Google or Noam Brown from OpenAI. Google responded by appointing Kavukcuoglu to a new position as chief AI architect, reporting directly to CEO Sundar Pichai.
In response to Meta’s aggressive recruitment, competitors are beginning to offer new incentives to their AI researchers. Google created a senior vice president role focused on faster integration of AI models into products and improving artificial intelligence development efficiency.
Three Pillars of Success in Artificial Intelligence
AI technology experts identify three key areas for success:
- AI Computing Chips: Meta has extensive infrastructure for model training
- AI Talent and Researchers: Ongoing recruitment offensive with record compensation
- Quality Training Data: Partnership with Scale AI aims to address this shortage
“Globally, there are very few people capable of efficiently conducting large-scale AI training, so higher salary packages for AI specialists make sense,” explains Vahan Petrosyan from SuperAnnotate.
Future of Superintelligence and AI Innovation
Meta’s superintelligent team focuses on developing more advanced voice AI features and personalization tools utilizing artificial intelligence. The goal is to overcome the limitations of the current Llama 4 model and create a competitive alternative to solutions from Google and OpenAI.
How does superintelligence work? It’s an advanced form of artificial intelligence that surpasses human capabilities in all cognitive tasks. Meta’s investment in talent and technology represents a long-term bet on a future where artificial intelligence will play a decisive role in the digital economy.
What is superintelligence for Meta? It’s a strategic path to achieving AI dominance before competitors, which could bring breakthrough innovations in personalization, voice assistants, and process automation.
