Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg Goes All‑In on AI Talent Hunt and Superintelligence Ambitions
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is turning up the heat in the race for artificial intelligence dominance. His company has launched a new division called Meta Superintelligence Labs, with a clear mission: build AI models that can learn and improve autonomously, positioning Meta as a leader in personal and general intelligence.
- Meta forms elite AI research team
Zuckerberg has handpicked an AI dream team for Superintelligence Labs, including former leaders from top AI labs. These researchers report directly to senior leadership and work with virtually unlimited GPU access, full autonomy, and minimal bureaucracy.
- Mega compensation to win talent war
Meta is placing bets worth hundreds of millions per person. Notable offers include a staggering $250 million package to a young AI researcher after initially offering $125 million. Another team reportedly turned down a $1 billion offer, showing that purpose and vision still outweigh money for many top minds.
- Battling rivals with cash and compute
Meta’s aggressive hiring is a direct response to rising pressure from other tech leaders. While the company’s talent strategies are bold, insiders say they’ve stirred controversy, with rivals accusing Meta of playing unfair and others pointing to the risks of overpaying for talent.
- Building massive AI infrastructure
Meta is also heavily investing in AI infrastructure. New data center projects like “Prometheus” and “Hyperion” are designed to handle massive AI workloads and support superintelligent models. The company expects to ramp up capital expenditure significantly over the next few years to support this ambition.
- Personal superintelligence as a vision
Zuckerberg envisions a future where every person has a personalized AI assistant—not just for productivity, but for creativity, lifestyle, and social connection. Meta wants to make AI feel intuitive, human-like, and deeply integrated into everyday life.
Challenges and skepticism ahead
Despite the enthusiasm, many are watching closely. Some experts warn that this strategy may unsettle internal dynamics, especially if talent feels displaced. Others say many engineers are increasingly driven by mission over money, and that culture—not just compensation—will decide who wins the AI race.
