The escalating rivalry between AI giants OpenAI and Meta has taken a sharp turn, with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman criticizing Meta’s aggressive talent acquisition tactics as “distasteful.” In a leaked internal memo reported by Wired, Altman expressed his disapproval of Meta’s recent spree of recruiting AI researchers, particularly those previously affiliated with OpenAI and Google DeepMind.
In a Slack message to OpenAI staff, Altman reportedly warned of the cultural consequences that come with such poaching. “Missionaries will beat mercenaries,” he wrote, emphasizing his belief that long-term commitment and a shared sense of purpose will outlast financial motivations alone. He alleged that Meta had to settle for less-than-ideal hires, going “far down their list” after missing their top recruitment targets.
The memo also hinted at OpenAI’s efforts to remain competitive in compensation. Altman assured employees that salaries are being re-evaluated and pointed to the high potential of OpenAI stock, suggesting it has “much, much more upside” than Meta’s offerings.
The timing of this internal communication highlights the intensifying competition for top AI talent as the industry accelerates. Meta has recently released a list of AI researchers it successfully poached, a move seen by many as an assertion of strength in the ongoing AI arms race. However, Altman suggests that the cost of such hiring tactics may be internal discord and a weakened company culture.
“We have gone from some nerds in the corner to the most interesting people in the tech industry (at least),” Altman wrote. He also reflected on OpenAI’s turbulent past, referencing his brief ousting and reinstatement as CEO, saying, “that was not the craziest thing that would happen in OpenAI history; certainly neither is this.”
As the AI space continues to evolve rapidly, tensions between major players like OpenAI and Meta may only deepen. For now, Altman appears focused on preserving OpenAI’s mission-driven ethos while fending off competitive threats from rivals he sees as more mercenary than visionary
