Meta Responds to OpenAI’s $100 Million Signing Bonus Claims

Meta executives during a meeting — Meta executives address the signing bonus controversy during an all-hands meeting.

During a company-wide all-hands meeting on Thursday, some of Meta’s top executives were asked about the claims regarding the “$100 million signing bonuses” that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman claimed had been offering to attract his employees.

In response to Altman’s remarks, Andrew Bosworth, Meta’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO), stated, “Sam is just being dishonest here.” He elaborated that Altman was implying that Meta was making such offers to every employee, which Bosworth refuted. “Look, you guys, the market’s hot. It’s not that hot,” he added, indicating that the situation was being exaggerated.

The headline regarding the “$100 million bonus” has gained significant traction on social media, becoming a meme since Altman mentioned the figure on his brother’s podcast. Bosworth pointed out, “What Sam neglects to mention is that he’s countering all these offers, creating a small market for a very, very small number of people who are for senior, senior leadership roles” in the new superintelligence AI team Meta is building. He emphasized that this scenario does not reflect the broader trends within the AI industry.

Furthermore, Bosworth criticized Altman for not disclosing the actual terms of the offers, stating, “It’s not [a] sign-on bonus. It’s all these different things.” This comment suggests that the nature of the compensation being discussed is more complex than simply a signing bonus.

During the meeting, Bosworth also referenced recent reports about several OpenAI researchers who have transitioned to roles at Meta. He noted that there are “quite a few more” individuals from OpenAI who are considering similar moves, indicating a potential trend of talent migration within the tech industry.

As the competition for talent in the AI sector intensifies, the dynamics between companies like Meta and OpenAI are likely to evolve. The ongoing dialogue surrounding compensation and recruitment strategies will continue to shape the landscape of the industry.

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