Meta Poaches Key Apple AI Engineer

Talent war intensifies as **Ruoming Pang** defects to **Mark Zuckerberg**’s “superintelligence” unit.

In a significant blow to Apple’s artificial intelligence ambitions, **Ruoming Pang**, a key figure in developing fundamental AI models, has left the company to join Meta. This comes as competition for top AI talent heats up across Silicon Valley.

Key Development

**Ruoming Pang**, previously a distinguished engineer and director of Apple’s fundamental models team, is joining Meta. According to a Bloomberg report, this high-level acquisition reflects Meta’s aggressive expansion in AI, fueled by lucrative compensation packages.

Losing **Pang** is a setback for Apple, particularly as they ramp up efforts to integrate large language models into their iOS and upcoming ipo platforms. In 2021, **Pang**, formerly at Alphabet, oversaw a team of 100 engineers who developed Apple’s core language models.

Meta’s Talent Acquisition Spree

Meta’s recruitment drive extends beyond **Pang**. Meta has also recently hired **Yuanzhi Li** from OpenAI and **Anton Bakhtin** from Anthropic. These moves align with **Mark Zuckerberg**’s vision of building a “superintelligence” unit. Meta has also successfully recruited figures like **Alexandr Wang**, **Daniel Gross**, and **Nat Friedman** through highly competitive offers.

Indeed, since November 2023, Meta has hired more AI researchers than any other Big Tech company, with 158 new hires (SemiAnalysis.com).

Apple’s AI Strategy and Challenges

Apple’s traditionally secretive approach to AI showed signs of change in June with developer initiatives. The goal: to keep pace with competitors’ rapid advancements. However, **Pang**’s departure raises questions about Apple’s internal stability and its ability to attract and retain critical AI talent.

While Apple has not commented on personnel changes, this loss could hinder its efforts to compete with AI leaders like OpenAI, Google, and Meta. While **Pang**’s specific role at Meta remains undisclosed, sources suggest he will contribute to developing its most advanced models.

As Meta strengthens its team with top-tier researchers, its talent offensive poses a challenge to competitors. Apple’s future roadmap now depends not only on technology, but also on retaining the talent that builds it.