In a bold strategic move, Meta has reportedly hired two senior artificial intelligence researchers from Apple to bolster its long-term push toward artificial general intelligence (AGI). The hires are expected to deepen Meta’s capabilities in creating AI systems that can perform intellectual tasks across a wide range of domains, rivaling human performance and cognition.

Strengthening FAIR: Meta’s Fundamental AI Research Division

The two researchers are expected to join Meta’s Fundamental AI Research (FAIR) group, which focuses on foundational AI science. FAIR plays a central role in Meta’s strategy to build "superintelligent" systems—a term often used to describe AI with capabilities far beyond today's generative models like ChatGPT or Meta’s own Llama series. This move indicates Meta’s commitment to core research rather than only consumer-facing AI tools.

Meta vs. Apple: A New Front in the AI Talent War

This high-profile poaching highlights the intensifying competition between Big Tech firms for elite AI talent. Apple, which traditionally operates with greater secrecy in its AI pursuits, is seen as a key player in developing on-device intelligence for iPhones and other Apple products. Meta’s success in attracting Apple engineers could mark a significant talent drain for the Cupertino giant.

Zuckerberg’s Vision: AGI for Billions

CEO Mark Zuckerberg has recently doubled down on his ambition to build AGI that can serve billions of people, positioning Meta as a leader in open-source and scalable AI. His vision includes not just smarter assistants but fundamentally new systems that could revolutionize everything from medicine to software development.

Broader Implications for the AI Industry

As the race to AGI accelerates, Meta’s latest hiring spree may signal a broader shift toward internal, long-horizon AI research within Big Tech. With increasing investments in supercomputing infrastructure and large-scale data training, the hiring of elite AI minds is becoming just as critical as algorithmic innovation.