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Written and reviewed by the Pulsewire Editorial Team – bringing you the latest insights from the tech and AI world.
The Buzz Behind the Dispute
The AI world is buzzing after a pointed rebuttal from a former OpenAI researcher, now joining Meta, directly contradicted Sam Altman’s recent comments on tech talent recruitment.
Altman, CEO of OpenAI, recently claimed that Meta has been offering astronomical signing bonuses — as much as $100 million — to lure researchers away. But that claim hasn’t gone unchallenged.
The Genesis of the Dispute: Altman’s Claim
In a recent discussion, Sam Altman claimed that Meta was offering $5–10 million per person in equity and signing bonuses to poach OpenAI researchers, and even implied some offers reached a staggering $100 million.
“They tried to poach our team with $5 or $10 million, and even $100 million signing bonuses,” Altman said.
Source: The Verge – Sam Altman says Meta offered OpenAI researchers $100M
Altman suggested the intent was to make OpenAI staff feel undervalued and trigger internal tension.
Lucas Beyer’s Blunt Rebuttal
Lucas Beyer, who previously worked at OpenAI and is now part of Meta’s new Superintelligence team, called out Altman’s statement as misleading.
“Sam Altman just played everyone. Made people feel lowballed by presenting outrageous numbers from others.”
He labeled the $100M figure “fake news”, implying it was a tactic to manipulate sentiment and control narratives around compensation.
Beyer also clarified that while Meta is investing significantly in AI, the numbers presented by Altman were exaggerated and not reflective of reality.
Meta’s Stance: Andrew Bosworth Weighs In
Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth, also known as “Boz,” joined the conversation by stating:
“This is simply false. We are not offering $100 million signing bonuses.”
Bosworth has previously criticized narratives from OpenAI leadership, emphasizing that Meta’s hiring approach is competitive but not outrageous.
Source: Boz on Threads & X, via Bloomberg
The Bigger Picture: AI Talent War Heats Up
This isn’t just about numbers — it highlights the escalating war for AI talent among major tech giants.
Meta’s Superintelligence team, which aims to advance AGI (Artificial General Intelligence), has recruited several high-profile researchers recently, signaling its deep ambition in this field.
Similarly, OpenAI, Microsoft, Google DeepMind, and Anthropic are also in aggressive hiring mode, creating a frenzied job market for top-tier AI talent.
With such high stakes, even rumors and public statements can shift perceptions, sway negotiations, and impact recruitment across the tech landscape.
📌 Conclusion
The dust may take time to settle, but one thing is clear: the battle for AI dominance is about more than just algorithms — it’s also about narrative, perception, and talent.
Whether or not Altman’s $100M figure was accurate, the backlash from former researchers and Meta insiders underscores a deeper competition that will define the future of artificial intelligence.
🔗 Sources & References
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⚠️ Disclaimer
This article reports on current news and publicly available statements. It is for informational purposes only and does not reflect the views of Pulsewire or constitute an official stance by the individuals or companies mentioned.
Sandeep Jadhav is a self-taught sustainability writer and the founder of Pulsewire.in. He shares insights on upcycled product manufacturing, green entrepreneurship, and eco-friendly business models. Though not formally certified, his work is backed by deep research and a strong passion for promoting climate-positive innovation.
