At a time when AI becomes the main battlefield of technology, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg personally launches a talent war: From WhatsApp private messages to mansion dinner parties, offering salaries up to $100 million, and even considering acquiring startups, all to quickly build a "super team".
Zuckerberg Takes Personal Action: Billions of Budget for Talent
Starting from spring 2025, Zuckerberg joined a WhatsApp group called "Recruiting Party 
", sending invitations to hundreds of AI researchers, scientists, and infrastructure engineers, and personally planning future office spaces. He has discussed acquiring Perplexity and invested $14 billion in startup Scale, making its 28-year-old CEO Alexandr Wang one of the highest-paid employees. Meta has allocated approximately $65 billion for AI budget, demonstrating its determination to catch up.
Massive expenditure does not necessarily translate to stable combat power. Candidates have doubts about frequent reorganization of Meta AI department and delayed Llama 4 release; Chief Scientist Yann LeCun is reserved about whether large language models can achieve superhuman intelligence, with internal views diverging. Meta AI's talent retention rate is around 64%, lower than Anthropic's 80% and Google DeepMind's 78%. About 4.3% of researchers left in 2024, with some core members moving to competitors or starting their own ventures.
Competitors' Responses
OpenAI and Google DeepMind quickly counteract. According to TechCrunch report, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated:
"Money cannot buy the best employees; the key is innovative culture and mission."
OpenAI retains talent through salary adjustments and expanded responsibilities; Google DeepMind establishes long-term non-compete clauses and high retention bonuses, including up to $20 million in equity. Top industry salaries are soaring, while in contrast, entry-level recruitment demands are shrinking, creating a polarized situation.
Meta confirms the urgency of entering AI through billion-dollar offers and acquisitions; however, analysts warn that without simultaneously addressing organizational culture misalignment and long-term vision, even the highest offers might become a "revolving door". How Zuckerberg transforms financial power into a continuous innovation environment will determine whether Meta can regain its voice in the new AI era.
