Meta Lures OpenAI Researchers, Prompting Internal Shakeup - 1

Image by Maurizio Pesce, from Flickr

Meta Lures OpenAI Researchers, Prompting Internal Shakeup

  • Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
  • Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager

OpenAI is fighting to keep its top researchers as Meta aggressively recruits with huge bonuses, sparking an internal shakeup over compensation.

In a rush? Here are the quick facts:

  • OpenAI is “recalibrating compensation” to retain top talent.
  • OpenAI staff are working up to 80 hours weekly.
  • OpenAI prioritizes AGI development over rivalry with Meta.

The competition between OpenAI and Meta has intensified, with Meta successfully recruiting at least eight leading researchers from OpenAI during the past few weeks, as reported by WIRED . OpenAI executives, including Chief Research Officer Mark Chen and CEO Sam Altman, have reacted strongly to the situation.

“I feel a visceral feeling right now, as if someone has broken into our home and stolen something,” Chen wrote in a company Slack memo obtained by WIRED. He assured staff that OpenAI leadership hasn’t “been standing idly by,” and said they’re “recalibrating comp” and “scoping out creative ways to recognize and reward top talent.”

WIRED notes that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has allegedly offered $100 million signing bonuses to recruit AI researchers, an amount Altman recently referenced in a podcast. Multiple sources at OpenAI have confirmed the figure, but Meta executives have denied it through internal channels.

“We’ve been more proactive than ever before,” Chen said, adding that OpenAI leaders have been “working around the clock” to speak with employees who’ve received offers, as reported by WIRED. He also emphasized fairness, writing, “While I’ll fight to keep every one of you, I won’t do so at the price of fairness to others.”

The pressure is high, as OpenAI staff members are working 80-hour weeks before starting a company-wide break for rest. A warning from Chen suggests that Meta plans to use the upcoming downtime to make job offers directly to isolated OpenAI employees.

Despite the staffing challenges, Chen reminded the team that the company’s main goal is artificial general intelligence. “Skirmishes with Meta are the side quest,” he wrote, as reported by WIRED. Altman responded with support: “Very grateful we have him as our leader!” WIRED added, that both OpenAI and Meta declined to comment.

Canada Orders Chinese Surveillance Camera Company To Cease Operations In The Country - 2

Photo by Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash

Canada Orders Chinese Surveillance Camera Company To Cease Operations In The Country

  • Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
  • Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager

The Canadian government ordered the Chinese surveillance camera company Hikvision to close operations in the country on Friday. The Industry Minister, Melanie Joly, said the decision was made over national security concerns.

In a rush? Here are the quick facts:

  • Canada ordered Hikvision to cease operations in the country due to security concerns.
  • The Chinese surveillance camera manufacturer has been previously accused of human rights abuses and cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
  • Hikvision said it “strongly disagrees” with the government’s decision.

According to Joly’s public statement , the government has determined that the activities of Hikvision—also known as Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co. Ltd.—could pose a threat to Canada’s national security.

“This determination is the result of a multi-step review that assessed information and evidence provided by Canada’s security and intelligence community,” wrote the minister. “The Government of Canada is prohibiting the purchase or use of Hikvision products in government departments, agencies, and crown corporations.”

Joly added that the Canadian government is reviewing existing property and welcomed foreign investment that doesn’t compromise the country’s national security. The minister did not disclose more details on how the company has been threatening national security.

According to Reuters , the United States has already issued multiple sanctions and restrictions against Hikvision in the past few years, due to the company’s use of equipment and its alleged involvement in human rights abuses. Hikvision has been previously reported for documenting abuse against muslim communities in China’s Xinjiang region.

Hikvision expressed its discontent with the Canadian government’s decision.

“We strongly disagree with this decision and view it with deep concern, as we believe it lacks a factual basis, procedural fairness, and transparency,” said a spokesperson from Hikvision to Reuters. “Instead of evaluating our technology on its cybersecurity merits, the decision appears to be driven by the parent company’s country of origin, reflecting broader geopolitical tensions and an unjustified bias against Chinese companies.”

The company urged the Canadian government to consider facts and a transparent environment.

Hikvision has also faced recent cybersecurity challenges. A few months ago, the FBI warned about a malware known as HiatusRAT targeting Chinese camera manufacturers. The agency mentioned Hikvision and Xiongmai among the companies with vulnerabilities exploited by malicious actors.