Meta Bolsters AI Team by Poaching Apple Researchers
Meta has intensified its push into artificial intelligence by recruiting two key researchers, Mark Lee and Tom Gunter, from Apple’s AI division, following the earlier hire of their former boss, Ruoming Pang.
This strategic move, reported on July 18, 2025, underscores Meta’s aggressive approach to building its Superintelligence Labs, a high-profile AI division led by former Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang and ex-GitHub CEO Nat Friedman.
The hires come with substantial compensation packages, with Lee and Gunter reportedly receiving multi-year deals worth over $100 million each, while Pang’s package exceeded $200 million.
These acquisitions highlight Meta’s ambition to compete in the rapidly evolving AI landscape, particularly after its Llama 4 models faced challenges in matching competitors like OpenAI and Anthropic.
By attracting top talent, Meta aims to strengthen its AI capabilities, potentially impacting its platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, where advanced AI could enhance user experiences through improved algorithms, personalized content, and new features.
For businesses, Meta’s investment signals a broader trend in the tech industry, where securing elite AI talent is critical for innovation.
The significant financial offers—far surpassing Apple’s compensation for its foundation engineers—reflect the escalating value of AI expertise.
This talent war could drive up costs for companies vying for skilled researchers, potentially reshaping hiring strategies across the sector.
Apple, meanwhile, faces challenges as its AI division experiences turmoil. Reports suggest Apple may pivot to external models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Anthropic’s Claude to power features like Siri, raising questions about the future of its in-house AI team.
In response, Apple has offered raises to approximately 100 engineers to curb further defections, but Meta’s lucrative deals continue to lure talent away.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg emphasized the company’s commitment, stating plans to invest “hundreds of billions” in compute resources and assemble an elite team.
These moves position Meta as a formidable player in AI development, with potential ripple effects for users through enhanced AI-driven services and for businesses navigating a competitive tech landscape.
FAQ
Why is Meta hiring AI researchers from Apple?
Meta is building its Superintelligence Labs to advance AI capabilities, aiming to compete with industry leaders. Hiring experts like Mark Lee and Tom Gunter from Apple strengthens Meta’s ability to innovate and improve its platforms.
How does this impact Apple’s AI development?
Apple’s AI division faces challenges as key talent departs, potentially slowing in-house progress. Apple may rely on external AI models, which could affect the development of features like Siri.
