A WhatsApp group chat named “Recruiting Party,” reportedly used by Mark Zuckerberg, has inadvertently exposed the intense AI talent crisis gripping Silicon Valley, as Meta offers up to $100 million to poach top engineers. This glimpse into Meta’s aggressive tactics highlights the scarcity of elite AI expertise and the extreme measures companies are taking to secure it.
For months, Zuckerberg has been quietly assembling a “secret list” of desired candidates, personally looking through research papers and directly contacting individuals from top PhD programs and leading AI labs. The existence of a dedicated WhatsApp group for recruitment discussions, involving Zuckerberg and senior executives, underscores the severity of the AI talent crunch.
However, the lavish financial incentives have drawn sharp criticism from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Altman publicly slammed the rumored offers as “crazy,” expressing concern that an overemphasis on guaranteed upfront compensation could detract from a strong company culture built on mission and meaningful work. This public debate highlights the ethical considerations in the AI talent market.
Meta’s substantial investment in Scale AI ($14 billion) and the formation of a “superintelligence team” further emphasize its commitment to AI. The “Recruiting Party” saga is a stark reminder of the fierce competition for limited AI talent, a crisis that is driving up salaries and forcing companies to adopt unprecedented recruitment strategies.