Apple just lost another key AI researcher to Meta. Bowen Zhang, a multimodal AI expert and a crucial piece of Apple’s AI talent, left Apple on Friday. He joins Meta’s new superintelligence team.
This marks the fourth Apple AI departure to Meta in just one month, further escalating the tech talent war. The pattern shows how aggressive recruitment can reshape entire industries.
Why This Talent War Matters Now
Apple’s Foundation Models Group built the core technology behind Apple Intelligence. These researchers created the AI that powers Siri and other Apple services, showcasing the importance of retaining top AI talent.
Meta previously recruited Ruoming Pang, the team leader, with a $200 million package. Tom Gunter and Mark Lee also recently left, indicating Meta’s serious commitment to acquiring the best AI researchers. Another researcher, Floris Weers, went for a startup, highlighting the competitive landscape for AI talent.
The departures have thrown Apple’s AI strategy into chaos. Team members say the group’s future is unclear. Multiple engineers are now interviewing elsewhere due to the ongoing tech talent war.
Strategic Lessons for Indian Business Leaders
Meta’s recruitment strategy offers clear lessons for Indian companies. First, they identified critical AI talent at a competitor. Then they made irresistible offers that outperformed Apple’s compensation packages.
Apple tried to counter with modest pay increases, but these raises fell far short of Meta’s packages. The company’s compensation couldn’t match rivals, risking their ability to maintain their AI talent.
For Indian startups and SMBs, this shows the power of strategic hiring. Targeting key talent from competitors can accelerate growth and enhance technological capabilities. But it requires significant investment.
