Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg reportedly offered a Thinking Machines Lab (TML) researcher over $1 billion to join his new Superintelligence Labs, but the offer was declined, Wired reported.
Zuckerberg has been aggressively pursuing top AI talent, including multiple staffers at TML, a startup led by former OpenAI executive Mira Murati. Despite the “mind-shattering” sums offered, none of the team accepted.
Meta spokesperson Andy Stone did not confirm the $1 billion figure but acknowledged that offers were made.
Zuckerberg’s recruitment efforts come amid struggles to keep pace with AI leaders like OpenAI and Google. Meta’s rollout of its Llama 4 model faced backlash, and concerns have surfaced about leadership at the lab, especially regarding Alexandr Wang, recently hired to co-lead the division.
Zuckerberg once wrote to a potential hire, “We’re making some important investments… to build the most valuable AI products and services for people.”
TML, recently valued at $12 billion, reportedly prefers to retain its talent.