Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has made a significant move to solidify its position in the artificial intelligence (AI) space. The tech giant has hired two senior AI researchers, Mark Lee and Tom Gunter, from Apple’s AI division to join its newly formed Superintelligence Labs team.
The hires come on the heels of Apple’s head of AI models, Ruoming Pang, being poached by Meta with a massive pay package of over $200 million. Lee and Gunter had reportedly worked closely with Pang at Apple and have already commenced work on Meta’s Menlo Park campus. Lee has started working at Meta, while Gunter is slated to join shortly.
A Broader AI Strategy
Meta’s hiring spree extends well beyond Apple. It is part of a broader campaign to recruit top AI talent and accelerate the development of its Superintelligence Labs. In June, Meta invested approximately $14.3 billion for a 49% stake in data-labeling startup Scale AI, bringing its founder and CEO, Alexandr Wang, onboard as Meta’s chief AI officer.
Unifying AI Efforts
Meta recently unveiled the Meta Superintelligence Labs to unify its AI efforts, following setbacks with its Llama 4 model and key staff departures. The MSL will be led by former Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang and ex-GitHub chief Nat Friedman. Under Wang’s leadership, and alongside Friedman, Meta has poached researchers from top labs including OpenAI, Google DeepMind, Anthropic, and Apple.
The Rise of Superintelligence
Superintelligence refers to a hypothetical AI system that is significantly more intelligent than the best human minds. The concept of superintelligence has been a topic of interest and concern in the AI community, with many experts warning about the potential risks and consequences of creating such a system.
Meta’s Superintelligence Labs aim to harness the power of AI to drive innovation and solve complex problems. The team is working on developing new AI models and algorithms that can learn and adapt at an exponential rate, enabling them to tackle complex challenges and make significant breakthroughs in various fields.
A New Era in AI Research
Meta’s aggressive hiring strategy and significant investments in AI research suggest that the company is committed to making a meaningful impact in the AI space. The company’s Superintelligence Labs are poised to become a major player in the AI research community, driving innovation and pushing the boundaries of what is possible with AI.
In conclusion, Meta’s hiring of Mark Lee and Tom Gunter from Apple’s AI division is a significant development in the AI space. The company’s Superintelligence Labs are expected to play a major role in shaping the future of AI research and development. As the tech giant continues to invest in AI talent and technology, we can expect to see exciting breakthroughs and innovations in the years to come.
Originally published on https://www.cnbctv18.com/technology/meta-hires-two-key-apple-ai-experts-after-poaching-their-boss-ws-l-19639235.htm
