Zuck's Super Intelligence Master Plan Revealed

Meta's Super Intelligence Team: A Bold Move by Mark Zuckerberg

Formation of the Super Intelligence Team

• Mark Zuckerberg has aggressively recruited top AI researchers from Anthropic and OpenAI to form Meta's new super intelligence team, revealing a strategic shift in Meta's approach to AI development.

• The release of Llama 4, which came in small, medium, and large sizes, highlighted that while the initial models were good, they were insufficient for Meta to lead in the competitive AI landscape.

• To enhance their capabilities, Zuckerberg created a secret list of elite AI researchers and made substantial offers to attract them away from competitors.

Financial Moves and Acquisitions

• Reports indicate that Meta offered signing bonuses as high as $100 million to lure talent shortly after acquiring a 49% stake in Scale AI for $14 billion.

• The acquisition aimed not only at data collection infrastructure but also at securing a talented team led by Alexander Wang, who is now heading the super intelligence initiative.

Impact on Competitors

• Following the acquisition of Scale AI, major clients like OpenAI and Google canceled contracts with them due to concerns about sharing data with a competitor.

• Despite losing these contracts, Meta gained valuable data and talent necessary for its ambitious plans in artificial intelligence.

Talent Acquisition Strategy

• Alexander Wang announced several key hires from OpenAI including Shenzha Xiao and Xia Hui Yu—researchers known for their significant contributions to advanced AI models.

• This aggressive recruitment strategy has resulted in poaching over eight top researchers from OpenAI alone, indicating a serious brain drain affecting their competitor.

Response from OpenAI

• In response to this talent exodus, Mark Chen from OpenAI acknowledged the situation in an internal memo expressing urgency in recalibrating compensation packages to retain top talent.

• Chen described feelings akin to "someone breaking into our home," emphasizing the need for immediate action amidst ongoing recruitment challenges while noting that OpenAI was taking time off during this critical period.

Meta's Push for Super Intelligence

Pressure on OpenAI Staff

• Mark Zuckerberg emphasizes that super intelligence is the primary focus for Meta, while also pressuring OpenAI staff to make quick decisions during their downtime.

• A leader at OpenAI reassures employees that they can reach out if they feel pressured by Meta's tactics, highlighting the importance of making informed decisions.

Focus Shift from Incremental Releases

• Mark Chen acknowledges that OpenAI has been too focused on incremental releases and stresses the need to concentrate on achieving super intelligence as the ultimate goal.

• The ongoing competition with Meta is framed as a side quest compared to the main objective of developing advanced AI capabilities.

Introduction of Meta Super Intelligence Labs

• Zuckerberg announces the formation of "Meta Super Intelligence Labs" (MSL), which will encompass various teams and initiatives aimed at advancing AI technology.

• Alexander Wang is appointed as chief AI officer leading MSL, alongside GitHub CEO Nat Friedman, who will co-lead efforts in AI products and applied research.

Recruitment of Top Talent

• The memo reveals an impressive roster of newly hired talent from rival firms like OpenAI and Google, indicating a strategic move to bolster Meta's capabilities in AI development.

• Notable hires include experts in reinforcement learning and multimodal training, showcasing a commitment to innovation in AI technologies.

All-Star Team Composition

• The team includes prominent figures such as Trapit Bonsel and Shu Chiao Bai, recognized for their contributions to significant advancements in AI models like GPT series.