Meta is offering multi-million pay for AI researchers, but not $100M ‘signing bonuses'

Core Insights - Meta is offering substantial multi-million-dollar pay packages to attract AI researchers to its new Superintelligence Lab, but claims of $100 million signing bonuses are exaggerated [1][2][3] - The actual compensation structure includes various components, primarily restricted stock unit grants (RSUs), rather than immediate cash bonuses [2][3] - Meta's total pay packages for very senior leaders can reach around $100 million over four years, but this is not standard for all hires [3][5] Company Strategy - Meta is focusing on hiring top talent in the AI field, particularly those with expertise in entertainment AI, aligning with its existing products like Quest VR headsets and AI glasses [3][4] - The company has successfully recruited notable figures from OpenAI, including Lucas Beyer, who confirmed his move to Meta and clarified the misinformation regarding signing bonuses [3][4] - Meta's competitive hiring strategy reflects the tight AI talent market, where even substantial offers can be turned down in favor of opportunities at more prominent startups [5][6] Financial Implications - Meta's investment in AI talent is significant, with reports indicating that it is willing to pay over $100 million for key hires, particularly in the context of acquiring stakes in companies like Scale [5] - The company is distributing $14 billion to shareholders as cash dividends, indicating a robust financial position to support its hiring initiatives [5]