Sam Altman says his CEO ouster “wasn’t the craziest thing that would happen in OpenAl’s history” — neither will Meta’s $100 million raid on the firm’s top AI talent

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Last month, it was reported that Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, alleged on the Uncapped podcast that Meta was offering massive $100 million bonuses as an incentive to recruit OpenAI employees.

Meta has been extending massive deals, such as $100 million signing bonuses and annual compensations exceeding this figure, to numerous members of our team. Yet, thus far, none of our top talents have accepted these offers.

In about three weeks following this assertion, a group of employees from OpenAI have decided to switch allegiances and join Meta’s newly unveiled Artificial General Intelligence unit, as declared by Mark Zuckerberg, the company’s CEO. This unexpected move has stirred apprehension within the leadership team at ChatGPT’s parent organization, leading them to require their staff to take a week-long break away from work.

Mark Chen, OpenAI’s Chief Research Officer, has shared that he and Sam Altman are putting in long hours to address the current issues, which involves adjusting salary structures among other solutions.

Chen expressed a strong, gut-level sensation, similar to discovering an intrusion and theft in their home. He wants to assure everyone that they’ve not been complacent about the situation. Some team members have shared that they’ve been working excessively hard, logging up to 80 hours per week.

It’s intriguing to consider how OpenAI might counter Meta’s persuasive tactics, such as offering a $100 million signing bonus and high first-year compensation. Notably, Sam Altman has recently spoken out about this issue in a letter to OpenAI researchers. In his message, he implies that Meta’s aggressive recruitment strategies could potentially cause significant cultural issues down the line (as reported by WIRED).

According to Altman:

As a researcher immersed in the ever-evolving tech landscape, I’ve witnessed our humble beginnings as a corner group of enthusiasts transform into a captivating force within AI. However, the discourse on AI Twitter can be corrosive, and certain actions by Meta have raised eyebrows, leaving an uneasy feeling. I anticipate that future events will only add to the intrigue. Having weathered past storms, including my dismissal, I’m confident to say that the unfolding events in OpenAI’s history are far from the wildest we’ve experienced; this current situation certainly does not take the cake.

Meta didn’t get OpenAI’s top AI talent

OpenAI’s CEO acknowledged that Meta had succeeded in hiring some of their employees, but emphasized that they hadn’t been able to lure away the company’s leading talent. Additionally, he expressed pride in the dedication and focus of the tech industry as a whole, stating, “There will always be some individuals who are more interested in job changes than in the mission itself.” However, he remained optimistic, asserting that “those committed to the cause will ultimately triumph over those motivated primarily by opportunity or compensation.

I strongly feel that OpenAl’s stock holds significant potential for growth over Meta’s, although I want to emphasize that this substantial growth should follow significant achievements. In my view, the path Meta is taking may lead to profound cultural issues. Rest assured, we will be discussing this matter in greater detail shortly. It’s crucial to me that we approach it honestly and ensure that everyone, not just those Meta has targeted, receives fair consideration.

OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman

Apart from making certain that the adjustment of salary packages advantages all employees at the company, rather than only those who appear to be targeted by Meta, Altman encouraged his team to remain dedicated to our mission. He emphasized his faith in the path of research that OpenAI has laid out.

Altman stressed not just ensuring that compensation package adjustments benefit everyone at the company, but also those who may seem specifically targeted by Meta. He urged his team to stay committed to our cause and expressed his belief in the direction of OpenAI’s research plan.

According the Altman:

We’re taking an extraordinary leap with computing resources, and I’m thrilled about it because I believe we will utilize it effectively. Above all else, I feel that our team and work culture are exceptional on a global scale. Of course, there’s room for improvement in our culture given the rapid growth we’ve experienced.

However, our essence sets us apart from others in a unique manner, which I believe is not replicated by any other. Moreover, I am certain that we can rectify the issues, and perhaps even more crucially, we prioritize the ethical development of Artificial General Intelligence.

Unlike many other businesses that view this as a means to another end, it is our primary focus and always will be. Even when Meta shifts its attention to the next trend or defends its competitive edge, we will remain steadfast, continuously striving to improve what we do better than anyone else. Many other projects may come and go.

It’s intriguing to consider whether OpenAI might implement strong confidentiality agreements or non-compete clauses in their employment contracts, aiming to prevent their staff from moving to competing companies. This tactic seems to have been effective for Google earlier this year, as they offer such agreements along with up to a year of paid vacation time (PTO) to retain their AI workforce.

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2025-07-02 12:39