OpenAI has finally addressed the growing concern over its recent wave of talent departures, many of which have reportedly landed at Meta. 
In an internal memo, OpenAI’s Chief Research Officer Mark Chen likened Meta’s aggressive hiring strategy to a break-in, stating, “It feels like someone has broken into our home and stolen something.”
The comment reflects a growing unease within OpenAI as Meta, led by Mark Zuckerberg, allegedly dangles staggering signing bonuses-some rumored to exceed $100 million-in front of top AI researchers. While some argue those numbers are inflated, it’s clear Meta is pulling out all the stops to regain momentum in the AI arms race, targeting talent not just from OpenAI but also Google and Anthropic.
Meta’s recent investment in Scale AI is seen as another strategic move to bulk up its AI capabilities, further intensifying the competition. At the same time, OpenAI is grappling with internal challenges. Reports of 80-hour workweeks and mounting employee burnout have surfaced, with some researchers feeling alienated by the company’s shift from a research-centric mission to a profit-driven commercial entity.
In response, OpenAI is now reassessing its compensation packages and looking at more creative ways to reward and retain its top performers. Executives are said to be meeting individually with researchers to offer support and guidance if competitors come knocking. Chen dismissed Meta’s offers as a mere “side quest,” asserting that OpenAI’s mission is the main storyline and far more impactful in the long run.
Still, resisting nine-figure offers isn’t easy, especially when staff already feel overworked and undervalued. The tug-of-war between compensation, mission, and burnout is forcing OpenAI to take a hard look in the mirror. If the company wants to keep leading the AI race, it’ll need to ensure its own house is worth staying in.