Meta Offers $200M to Recruit Apple AI Exec

Meta Platforms is offering a $200 million package to poach Ruoming Pang, Apple's top AI executive, as part of its effort to staff its "Superintelligence" division. The offer exceeds standard compensation and is tied to performance milestones and multi-year vesting. Meta is also reportedly offering similar packages to other top hires for the team.

Meta Platforms has made a significant move in the competitive AI landscape by offering a $200 million package to Ruoming Pang, Apple's top AI executive. This offer, which includes a substantial base salary, a significant signing bonus, and a bulk of Meta stock, underscores the intense battle for AI talent among tech giants [1].

Ruoming Pang, who previously led Apple's AI models team, is set to join Meta's Superintelligence team. This division focuses on building advanced AI systems that can rival or surpass human cognitive abilities. Meta's aggressive hiring strategy has seen it poach top-tier AI talent from Apple, OpenAI, and Google, with Pang being one of the most prized hires yet [2].

The offer to Pang is part of Meta's broader push to dominate the AI race. The company has been investing heavily in top AI talent, offering packages that include a large base salary, cash signing bonuses, and a heavy emphasis on Meta stock tied to performance milestones. These deals often come with long-term vesting schedules, ensuring loyalty and long-term results [3].

Meta's aggressive tactics have not gone unnoticed. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently criticized Meta's aggressive tactics, noting that Meta was offering signing bonuses as high as $100 million. Despite this, Meta has already hired over 10 OpenAI researchers, along with talent from Anthropic, Google, and other AI startups [2].

The AI talent war is reshaping compensation norms in the tech industry. Meta's offers are rivaling or even exceeding the pay of CEOs at major banks and multinational corporations. However, much of this pay is speculative and locked into future stock performance and long-term loyalty [1].

As the AI arms race accelerates, tech giants are continuing to redefine what "top dollar" means and who's earning it. The departure of Pang from Apple is a significant blow, highlighting the challenges Apple faces in maintaining its AI leadership. However, it also underscores the growing importance of AI in shaping the future of technology [3].

References:
[1] https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/us/metas-shocking-200-million-offer-to-this-apple-ai-engineer-is-blowing-minds-meet-ruoming-pang/articleshow/122367371.cms
[2] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/meta-platforms-enticed-apple-ai-145926033.html
[3] https://www.oneindia.com/artificial-intelligence/meta-hires-apple-s-ai-chief-ruoming-pang-for-superintelligence-team-011-7794711.html