Meta Faces Friction After Spending Millions On AI Stars

Meta spent millions recruiting AI experts this summer and now faces the challenge of integrating them with existing staff, according to The Wall Street Journal. Some of Meta’s high-priced AI recruits have already left for rival labs, while existing employees seek better positions or raises within the reorganized AI division. Some star recruits have already returned to OpenAI or left for startups. Some employees used rival offers to gain raises or transfers into Meta’s secretive TBD Lab near CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s office. Meta said the moves were preplanned and not counteroffers to retain staff. The hiring spree, which brought in more than 50 people from rivals like OpenAI, Google, Apple, and xAI, has fueled resentment among existing staff, with teams competing for resources under a hiring freeze. Meta said reports of discord are exaggerated.