Meta offered one of Apple's leading AI managers a total compensation package of over $200 million in an attempt to lure him away. The person in question is Ruoming Pang, who until recently led Apple's foundational modeling team. Pang has accepted the offer and left the company. He will join Meta's newly established Superintelligence Labs, where he will work on developing advanced AI systems that operate at or beyond the level of human intelligence.
In the field of artificial intelligence, there is currently intense competition for skilled workers. Companies like Meta, Apple, Google, and OpenAI are investing billions and deliberately targeting highly qualified specialists to secure their advantages. The fact that Meta is now offering over $200 million to hire a single manager demonstrates the dimensions of this competition. The appointment of Ruoming Pang underscores the strategic importance of AI talent in the next phase of the tech industry's development.
Ruoming Pang's move from Apple to Meta
Ruoming Pang led the Foundation Models team at Apple. Around 100 employees worked under his leadership on large-scale language models that form the basis for new AI features in Apple products. These include email summaries, Genmoji, and prioritized notifications—features bundled under the new AI label "Apple Intelligence." Pang is leaving Apple to take on a leading role within Meta's Superintelligence Labs, a new department dedicated to developing advanced AI systems. The goal is to develop AI at a level comparable to or superior to human intelligence.
Compensation package: over $200 million
According to information obtained by Bloomberg , Meta's offer to Pang includes a particularly high base salary, a one-time signing bonus, and a substantial stock component. The stock bonus represents the largest portion of the total compensation. However, it is not paid out immediately, but is tied to certain performance metrics and several years of service. The total sum of over $200 million is extraordinary. It exceeds the compensation of almost all Apple employees—with the exception of CEO Tim Cook. Apple has not attempted a counteroffer, according to the report.
Meta brings in more AI heavyweights
Ruoming Pang isn't the only prominent addition to Meta. Other well-known names have also joined Superintelligence Labs. These include Nat Friedman, former CEO of GitHub; Daniel Gross, founder of an AI startup; and Alexandr Wang, co-founder of Scale AI. In a podcast in June, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman explained that Meta is trying to poach top talent on a large scale—some with offers exceeding $100 million. He said that Meta has made such offers to his team.
Apple's reaction to the departure
Apple responded to Pang's departure with a restructuring. The Foundation Models team is now headed by Zhifeng Chen. Furthermore, leadership responsibilities have been divided among several senior engineers. The goal appears to be to reduce future dependence on any one individual.
Meta sets a precedent in the global AI competition
Ruoming Pang's move is another example of how fierce competition for AI specialists has become. With this record offer, Meta demonstrates how committed the company is to advances in the field of artificial intelligence. At the same time, Apple is losing a key figure in its internal AI strategy. The long-term impact of this personnel change on development at both companies remains to be seen. One thing is clear: The momentum in the AI industry is further accelerated by such transfers. (Image: Shutterstock / miss.cabul)
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