Microsoft Targets ‘Critical AI Talent’ from Meta to Dominate Next AI Breakthroughs

Microsoft is targeting Meta’s top AI staff with multimillion-dollar offers, internal docs show, amid rising stakes in the Big Tech talent war.

Microsoft is going all-in to snatch Meta’s top AI minds, dangling multimillion-dollar bonuses to lure engineers labeled “critical AI talent.” An internal most-wanted list shows precisely who the tech giant is targeting in its escalating talent war.

According to internal documents seen by Business Insider, Microsoft has built a fast-track hiring playbook to compete with Meta’s sky-high offers, including on-hire packages worth millions.

Confidential compensation models for elite AI candidates

The confidential files include a detailed roster of Meta employees in Microsoft’s sights, listing each by name, location, and job title. Additional tabs highlight the company’s focus areas, including Reality Labs, GenAI Infrastructure, and Meta AI Research.

Among the materials is a proprietary “compensation modeler” built to craft individualized pay ranges for those ...