The “Secret List”: Zuckerberg’s Covert Operation to Conquer AI Talent

Mark Zuckerberg has reportedly orchestrated a covert operation, dubbed “the list,” to identify and recruit the world’s most elite AI engineers and researchers. With reported offers reaching a staggering $100 million, Meta is making an aggressive play to poach talent from key competitors like OpenAI and Google’s DeepMind. This strategic move aims to solidify Meta’s position in the fiercely contested race for AI supremacy.
Silicon Valley has been captivated by the whispers surrounding Zuckerberg’s personal quest, which has involved direct outreach to desired candidates. Many on this coveted list are recent PhD graduates from prestigious institutions like the University of California at Berkeley and Carnegie Mellon, as well as established professionals already working at leading AI labs. The formation of a WhatsApp group chat, “Recruiting Party,” for Zuckerberg and other senior executives further illustrates the focused nature of this recruitment drive.
The scale of Meta’s financial commitment has drawn criticism, notably from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who called the rumored compensation packages “crazy.” Altman expressed concerns about the long-term impact of such a compensation-centric approach on company culture, suggesting it might detract from a mission-driven environment. This public spat highlights the intense competition and differing philosophies among tech leaders in the AI space.
Meta’s bold talent acquisition strategy, coming on the heels of a $14 billion investment in Scale AI and the establishment of a “superintelligence team,” signals a significant escalation in its AI ambitions. By attempting to “transfuse” top talent, Meta is clearly aiming to accelerate its development of advanced AI systems, potentially including those smarter than humans. The success of “the list” will be a crucial factor in Meta’s pursuit of AI dominance.