In a recent interview, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman dropped a surprising bit of news: Meta has been trying to recruit top OpenAI engineers with some jaw-dropping offers — we’re talking $100 million signing bonuses.
Yes, you read that right.
Altman shared this detail on the Unconfuse Me podcast, hosted by his brother Jack Altman. He said some of OpenAI’s best researchers have been approached with total compensation packages that could exceed $100 million — a figure more commonly seen in professional sports than in tech.
Nobody Took the Bait
Despite these massive offers, Altman says no one from his top team has left.
“We’ve had people get offered over $100 million to come join [Meta], and none of our best people have gone,” Altman said.
Instead, he believes OpenAI’s mission — building safe and powerful artificial general intelligence — is what keeps people around. “They’re here because they believe in what we’re doing,” he explained.
Meta Sees OpenAI as a Threat
According to Altman, Meta isn’t just another big tech company in the AI space — it sees OpenAI as its biggest competitor. And it’s making serious moves to catch up.
That includes launching a “superintelligence” division and hiring big names, like Alexandr Wang from Scale AI, to lead its charge. Meta is also spending heavily on infrastructure and partnerships to help it compete.
Can Culture Beat Compensation?
While $100 million might turn heads, Altman says OpenAI’s real advantage is its culture.
He pointed out that building great AI isn’t just about stacking up talent — it’s about creating the right environment for innovation and responsibility. And that, he believes, is something money alone can’t buy.
“I think you can throw a lot of money at something and not get that special energy,” he said, adding that it’s the team’s belief in OpenAI’s goals that sets them apart.
A Bigger Battle for AI Talent
This isn’t just about OpenAI and Meta. The entire tech world is racing to hire the brightest minds in artificial intelligence — and compensation packages are skyrocketing.
From Silicon Valley to global startups, AI researchers are being offered executive-level pay, startup equity, and even sports-star-style bonuses. The market for talent has become as competitive as the race to build the next breakthrough AI system.
Meta Hasn’t Commented
So far, Meta hasn’t responded to Altman’s claims about the $100 million offers. The company has stayed quiet, though it’s clear from its recent hires and investments that it’s serious about becoming a major AI player.
Meanwhile, OpenAI is continuing to grow. The company recently teamed up with designer Jony Ive and is expanding its safety, design, and research teams to stay ahead.
Why It Matters
This story isn’t just about flashy numbers. It’s about how big tech companies are fighting to control the future of AI — and what they’re willing to do to win.
Meta is betting big on money. OpenAI is betting on mission. Only time will tell which strategy wins.
