Meta is attempting to recruit top talent from OpenAI with eye-popping compensation packages, including signing bonuses reportedly reaching $100 million. The revelation was made by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who disclosed that several key employees at the artificial intelligence research lab behind ChatGPT have been approached with these unprecedented offers.

Speaking on the “Uncapped” podcast, hosted by his brother Jack Altman, the CEO revealed that Meta’s attempts to lure OpenAI staff were part of a broader strategy to gain ground in the rapidly intensifying race for AI dominance. “They’ve offered $100 million signing bonuses to multiple people here,” said Sam Altman, adding, “None of them took it.”

Altman’s comments shed light on the escalating competition among tech giants to secure top artificial intelligence researchers and engineers, as companies like Meta, Google, and OpenAI race to develop the most advanced AI systems. Meta’s move comes amid internal pressures to improve performance on its Llama-4 model and accelerate development on its highly anticipated “Behemoth” model.

In a bid to speed up progress, Meta has reportedly invested billions in its AI infrastructure, including a multi-billion-dollar partnership with Scale AI, and launched a new “superintelligence” research unit led by former OpenAI collaborators and other high-profile hires.

However, Altman emphasized that money alone is not sufficient to build transformative technologies. “You can’t buy your way to great innovation with just deep pockets,” he noted. “Culture, mission, and the ability to work collaboratively on hard problems matter just as much.”

While Meta’s aggressive recruitment strategy has raised eyebrows across the tech industry, none of OpenAI’s “best people,” according to Altman, have been swayed by the lucrative offers so far. The CEO credited this loyalty to the organization’s shared vision and internal culture.

Analysts have likened the current state of AI hiring to a professional sports free-agency frenzy, where elite talent commands staggering sums. But industry insiders also point to a shift in the values driving top-tier researchers. Increasingly, factors such as ethical alignment, a company’s approach to safety and transparency, and opportunities for meaningful work are playing a larger role in where AI professionals choose to apply their expertise.

Meta declined to comment directly on the reports but has previously stated its intention to invest aggressively in frontier AI, committing tens of billions of dollars to the effort over the next several years.

The talent war between AI companies is expected to intensify further as demand for highly skilled researchers continues to outpace supply. For now, OpenAI’s ability to retain its core team may prove to be one of its most valuable assets in the ongoing race to build the next generation of artificial intelligence.