Meta is making aggressive moves in the race for AI dominance, reportedly spending around $100 million to poach a team of elite researchers from Google’s DeepMind. The group, now operating within Meta, has been tasked with accelerating the company’s ambitions in developing cutting-edge artificial general intelligence (AGI) technologies.
Led by former DeepMind researcher Łukasz Kaiser—who co-developed the influential Transformer model—the team brings with it a wealth of experience in foundational AI architecture. Meta has already branded the group internally as a key part of its long-term AI strategy.
The high-profile talent grab underscores the increasingly competitive battle among tech giants to secure top minds in AI. With massive budgets and high stakes, companies like Meta, Google, and OpenAI are not just racing to develop the best models—they’re also racing to attract the best people.
While Meta hasn’t confirmed specific financial details, insiders suggest that compensation packages for these researchers include multimillion-dollar salaries and significant resources to pursue ambitious projects. It’s a clear signal that Meta is all-in on becoming a frontrunner in the AI revolution, and willing to invest heavily to make it happen.