Meta Poaches Apple AI Experts
Meta has recruited two key Apple AI researchers, Mark Lee and Tom Gunter, to join its expanding Superintelligence Labs team, as reported by Bloomberg. The hires strengthen Meta’s AI talent pool following their former boss Ruoming Pang’s recent move from Apple, which included a staggering $200 million compensation package.
Apple AI Team Members Join Meta
Mark Lee and Tom Gunter were crucial to Apple AI’s Foundation Models group, which focuses on large language models and generative AI development. 9to5Mac notes that Lee was the first hire made by Pang at Apple, while Gunter was one of the senior engineers on the team. Gunter left Apple last month, briefly joined an AI startup, and then decided to move to Meta’s headquarters in Menlo Park. Reports indicate Gunter is set to receive a multi-year contract worth over $100 million.
Zuckerberg’s AI Talent Grab
This hiring spree aligns with CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s aggressive strategy to advance Meta’s Superintelligence Labs, aiming to create AI systems rivaling human capabilities. Zuckerberg considers AI the company’s top priority and has committed to spending “hundreds of billions” on AI development. Meta is also recruiting other high-profile AI experts, including former OpenAI researchers like Jason Wei and Hyung Won Chung, plus notable names such as former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman and AI founder Daniel Gross.
Apple AI Faces Talent Challenges
Apple AI’s internal environment appears turbulent as the company evaluates integrating external AI systems like OpenAI or Anthropic with Siri and other products. Reports suggest team morale has declined, with engineers feeling pressured over setbacks. Meta’s generous compensation packages contrast with Apple’s more modest salary increases aimed at retention, fueling the outflow of key AI talent.
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