Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is once again making headlines, but this time it’s not for a new social media feature or hardware launch. Instead, the tech billionaire is at the center of Silicon Valley’s latest AI talent war, as Meta aggressively recruits elite researchers for a newly formed “superintelligence” division — a move causing internal friction and even prompting departures.
The Birth of Meta Superintelligence Labs
In mid-2025, Mark Zuckerberg unveiled Meta Superintelligence Labs (MSL), a high-priority unit focused on building what he calls “personal superintelligence” — advanced AI systems capable of human-like reasoning. To power this vision, Meta has been making eye-watering offers to AI scientists, poaching talent from rivals like OpenAI, Anthropic, and even Elon Musk’s xAI.
According to Business Insider, Meta has already hired over a dozen top researchers, including ChatGPT co-creator Shengjia Zhao. But this aggressive recruitment is ruffling feathers among existing Meta AI staff, particularly within the Generative AI (GenAI) team that developed Llama 4 — a model met with lukewarm reception earlier this year.
Rising Tensions Among Meta Researchers
The biggest source of friction? Compensation and recognition. Some long-serving Meta AI employees say the massive salaries and perks offered to new hires make them feel undervalued. Former GenAI member Rohan Anil, who left for Anthropic in June, described Meta’s culture as “a giant social experiment” in a now-deleted post.
One former Meta AI researcher told reporters that outsiders are being paid “10 to 50 times more” than existing team members. For some, the message feels clear: if you weren’t chosen for the superintelligence project, you’re being sidelined.
Meta’s official stance? The company insists it doesn’t negotiate with employees who threaten to leave. A spokesperson emphasized that “those pushing certain narratives typically have ulterior motives,” adding that Meta still enjoys the best retention rates among Big Tech peers.
A Talent War Spreading Across Silicon Valley
The unrest inside Meta hasn’t gone unnoticed. Competitors are seizing the moment — xAI has scooped up multiple Meta researchers in recent weeks, and Microsoft is also actively targeting the company’s talent pool.
While MSL now oversees GenAI, it also operates a smaller elite core known as the “TBD Lab.” This inner circle reportedly enjoys greater access to computing resources and higher prestige, further fueling competition inside Meta.
Meanwhile, FAIR — Meta’s long-standing AI research lab headed by AI pioneer Yann LeCun — remains somewhat insulated from the drama. LeCun continues leading his own team on I-JEPA, a model he believes is key to achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI).
Notable Departures and Public Reactions
On August 6, Laurens van der Maaten, a distinguished Meta research scientist, confirmed he had joined Anthropic. The move came just before MSL’s official launch, suggesting that some exits were already in motion.
Former Meta engineering director Erik Meijer reacted with a telling metaphor — posting a video of two monkeys doing the same task but receiving unequal rewards. The one with the lesser prize throws it back in protest, highlighting the resentment brewing inside Meta.
Zuckerberg’s High-Stakes Bet
Despite the turmoil, some insiders agree with Mark Zuckerberg’s bold approach. After the rapid growth of GenAI post-ChatGPT, a reset could help focus Meta’s AI strategy. For Zuckerberg, the endgame is clear: lead the race to superintelligence, even if it means shaking up the ranks.
The stakes are enormous — both for Meta’s future in AI and for Zuckerberg’s legacy. Winning the superintelligence race could cement his position as not just a social media mogul, but as one of the defining figures in the age of AI.
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