Meta Hires AI Visionary Who Previously Rejected Zuckerberg’s Massive Offer
In a major development within the global tech industry, Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has reportedly hired a leading artificial intelligence (AI) researcher who once turned down a multi-billion-dollar offer from CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Based on the results of research conducted by hkitblog.com the move signals Meta’s aggressive push to strengthen its position in the AI race against OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Anthropic.
From Rejection to Recruitment
According to reports from The Information and Financial Times, the AI expert whose identity has not been officially disclosed but is widely believed to be one of the key figures behind a top open-source AI initiative — previously declined an offer worth around $1.5 billion (Rp 24 trillion) from Meta several years ago. At the time, the researcher chose to remain independent, citing a desire to keep AI development open and transparent rather than proprietary.
Now, after years of operating outside the corporate ecosystem, the AI visionary has officially joined Meta’s Fundamental AI Research (FAIR) division. Sources close to the matter say the decision was influenced by Meta’s recent commitment to advancing open-source AI models, such as LLaMA 3, which aligns closely with the researcher’s philosophy of accessible AI innovation.
Meta’s Growing AI Ambition
Meta’s hiring move comes at a time when the company is repositioning itself as a major player in AI development. With competitors like OpenAI and Google rapidly advancing their products, Meta has invested billions of dollars into AI infrastructure, research, and data center expansion.
Zuckerberg himself has stated that Meta’s long-term vision is to integrate AI assistants and generative AI tools across its platforms — from Instagram Reels recommendations to WhatsApp’s business automation.
In a recent post, Zuckerberg emphasized, “AI is the foundation of everything we’re building — from the metaverse to social connection. Our goal is to make powerful AI models available to everyone.”
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The Significance of the Hire
Industry analysts view this recruitment as both a symbolic and strategic win for Meta. “This is not just about talent — it’s about credibility,” said Dr. Aaron Patel, a technology analyst from the Global AI Research Council. “The researcher’s track record in open-source AI gives Meta an enormous boost in the scientific community, which has often been skeptical of big tech’s control over AI development.”
The researcher is expected to lead Meta’s efforts in ethical AI development and large-scale language modeling, areas that have become increasingly important amid global discussions about AI safety and regulation.
A Shift Toward Open-Source AI
The timing of this move is significant. Meta has positioned itself as one of the few major tech companies actively promoting open AI ecosystems, contrasting with OpenAI’s and Anthropic’s more closed, commercial approaches.
Analysts believe this alignment in philosophy was a key factor in convincing the researcher to finally join Meta after years of resistance. “Meta’s open-source strategy likely bridged the gap,” Patel added. “It allows researchers to contribute to large-scale innovation while maintaining transparency and collaboration.”
Looking Ahead
While Meta has not released an official statement regarding the hire, insiders suggest that the new addition will play a central role in shaping the company’s next-generation AI models. With the expertise now on board, Meta appears ready to accelerate its AI roadmap and challenge industry leaders head-on.
From once rejecting Zuckerberg’s massive offer to now joining his mission, this development marks a turning point — both for the researcher’s career and Meta’s evolving journey in artificial intelligence.
Source: https://www.hkitblog.com/
