Meta Platforms Inc., led by Mark Zuckerberg, is making unprecedented investments in artificial intelligence talent, offering compensation packages reportedly reaching up to $1 billion to attract top AI researchers. According to reports, some pay packages include $300 million over four years with $100 million paid upfront. This aggressive hiring strategy aims to accelerate Meta's AI capabilities and catch up with competitors like OpenAI. Zuckerberg has also invested heavily in building large-scale data centers and improving data quality through initiatives like Scale AI. The approach contrasts with traditional acquisition strategies, as Meta opts to directly recruit leading AI experts with substantial financial incentives, reflecting the high stakes and competitive nature of the AI sector.