Meta Attracts Top OpenAI Researchers to Boost Superintelligence Ambitions
Meta Recruits Leading OpenAI Talent for Superintelligence Lab
Meta is making bold moves in the artificial intelligence landscape, reportedly hiring two prominent OpenAI researchers, Jason Wei and Hyung Won Chung, to join its newly established Superintelligence Lab. This development, originally reported by Wired, signals Meta’s intensified efforts to close the gap in the race toward Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).
Who Are the New Recruits?
- Jason Wei: Known for his work on deep research models and the internal "o3" project at OpenAI. Wei previously contributed to chain-of-thought research at Google before joining OpenAI.
- Hyung Won Chung: Focused on reasoning and AI agents, Chung worked on OpenAI’s "o1" model and overlapped with Wei at Google, building a close professional relationship.
Both researchers’ internal OpenAI Slack profiles have reportedly been deactivated, further suggesting their imminent transition to Meta.
Why This Matters for Meta’s AI Strategy
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has made it clear that catching up in the AGI race is a top priority. By attracting top talent from industry leaders like OpenAI with highly competitive compensation packages, Meta aims to accelerate progress in advanced AI research and development.
Wei and Chung’s partnership is notable, as their collaborative history could foster strong synergy within Meta’s Superintelligence Lab. This approach echoes Meta’s recent trend of recruiting teams with established working dynamics, aiming to maximize productivity and innovation.
Broader Implications for the AI Ecosystem
This talent shift reflects the intensifying competition among tech giants to secure the brightest minds in AI. As the field moves closer to AGI, such high-profile moves may become increasingly common, shaping the direction and pace of global AI research.
