Meta has just secured two of OpenAI’s most prominent researchers, Jason Wei and Hyung Won Chung, in what appears to be another strategic move to dominate the artificial intelligence space.
This latest hire underlines the increasing tension in the AI industry, where tech giants are fiercely competing not only on models and infrastructure but also on talent.
Wei and Chung will now join Meta’s Superintelligence Lab, a division dedicated to advancing toward artificial general intelligence (AGI). Both researchers previously worked at Google’s Brain team before transitioning to OpenAI in 2023, making their upcoming move to Meta their second high-profile career shift in just two years.
Jason Wei played a key role at OpenAI, contributing significantly to the development of advanced models such as o3, focusing on training AI for complex reasoning tasks. Hyung Won Chung, likewise, contributed to OpenAI’s o1 model and other deep research initiatives. Their departure marks a major blow to OpenAI’s research leadership and highlights a broader trend of elite AI minds migrating toward better-funded and more ambitious projects.
Meta’s aggressive recruitment reflects its vision to lead the charge toward superintelligence. Reports suggest that Meta is luring top-tier talent with more generous compensation packages and expansive research freedom – elements increasingly attractive in an industry driven by innovation speed.
While the exact roles and responsibilities for Wei and Chung at Meta remain under wraps, the message is clear: Meta is making bold moves to solidify its position at the forefront of AGI development. This growing talent exodus from OpenAI could trigger a ripple effect, possibly undermining its pace of innovation if not addressed swiftly.
As the AI arms race intensifies, talent acquisition may become the decisive factor – and Meta is clearly playing to win.