OpenAI is scrambling after Meta poached eight top researchers in a hiring sprint.
The issue started last week, with Meta snagging OpenAI’s senior talent left and right. OpenAI’s Chief Research Officer Mark Chen reacted with a Slack message to staff Saturday. He said it felt like a “break-in” and promised leadership is working nonstop to fight back.
Chen wrote that CEO Sam Altman and the team are “talking to those with offers” and “recalibrating comp” to keep talent. They’re also exploring “creative ways to recognize and reward top talent.” 
Altman previously called out Meta’s hiring war on a podcast, claiming the social giant dropped “$100 million signing bonuses” — an internal Meta claim they deny.
Mark Chen stated in Slack, obtained by Wired:
“I feel a visceral feeling right now, as if someone has broken into our home and stolen something.”
“I, Sam Altman, and other leadership have been working around the clock to talk to those with offers.”
“We’ve been more proactive than ever before, we’re recalibrating comp, and we’re scoping out creative ways to recognize and reward top talent.”
