Altman Alleges Massive Bonus Offers by Meta

In a striking revelation, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has claimed that Meta attempted to lure away OpenAI employees with massive bonus packages reportedly reaching $100 million. The statement comes amid escalating competition in the artificial intelligence space, with tech giants aggressively vying for top AI talent. Altman's comments were made during a recent interview, where he emphasized how hard it has become to retain skilled researchers in an industry increasingly defined by fierce hiring battles.

Escalating Talent Wars in AI Sector

Altman described Meta’s approach as part of a growing trend where companies are offering “insane” compensation packages to poach engineers and researchers from rivals. While not accusing Meta of wrongdoing, he pointed to the astronomical bonuses as indicative of the pressure AI companies are under to stay ahead in the technological arms race. Meta, which has significantly ramped up its AI investments in recent years, has yet to publicly comment on the claims.

OpenAI’s Response: Focus on Mission and Impact

Despite the lure of high pay, Altman noted that many OpenAI employees remain committed to the organization’s core mission and long-term vision for safe and beneficial AI. “Money matters,” he admitted, “but the impact of what we’re building resonates more deeply with many people here.” This statement reinforces OpenAI’s belief that purpose and ethical responsibility can still outweigh financial temptation—at least for now.

Industry Implications and Competitive Landscape

The incident underscores a broader reality: top-tier AI talent has become one of the most valuable assets in tech. As companies like Meta, Google DeepMind, Anthropic, and OpenAI push the limits of generative AI, recruiting experienced engineers and researchers has taken center stage. With demand outpacing supply, offers like those alleged by Altman may become increasingly common—and controversial.