OpenAI is making urgent changes to its compensation structure. After multiple staff departures to Meta, including several senior researchers, the company is now working swiftly to retain top talent and reassure its remaining team members.
The Internal Response
In a Slack message obtained by Wired, Mark Chen, OpenAI’s Chief Research Officer, expressed deep concern.
“I feel a visceral feeling right now, as if someone has broken into our home and stolen something,” he wrote.
Chen’s message came after news broke that eight researchers had left OpenAI for Meta in the past week. The company appears to fear a big talent drain.
In response, Chen stated that he, CEO Sam Altman, and other executives are acting quickly.
“We’ve been working around the clock to talk to those with offers,” he said. “We’re recalibrating comp, and we’re scoping out creative ways to recognize and reward top talent.”
Meta’s Aggressive Hiring Strategy
Meta appears to be actively targeting OpenAI staff. Sam Altman, in a recent podcast, alleged that Meta had offered “$100 million signing bonuses” to attract researchers.
While Meta has denied this figure internally, the claim highlights the intensity of the current competition.
The AI sector is now one of the most competitive job markets in tech. Companies are racing to recruit and retain experts in machine learning, safety research, and large language models.
OpenAI’s Strategy
OpenAI’s leadership is now reviewing its approach to compensation. This includes salary adjustments and other financial incentives.
However, the company is also exploring non-monetary strategies. These may include increased recognition, equity options, and clearer growth paths.
The goal is to reinforce loyalty. OpenAI wants researchers to see long-term value in staying, beyond immediate financial offers.
