Ruoming Pang, a senior executive at Apple who heads the company’s artificial intelligence foundation models team, is departing the tech giant to join Meta Platforms, according to Bloomberg News reports. At Meta, Pang will work within the newly formed superintelligence team, reflecting Meta’s strong push to enhance its AI capabilities. His compensation package at Meta is reportedly worth millions annually, underscoring the company’s dedication to securing elite talent in the fiercely competitive AI field. This move highlights the intense rivalry among leading tech firms to attract and retain top experts in AI research and development. Meta, in particular, is making strategic efforts to unify its AI operations and broaden its impact in the sector. Recently, Meta reorganized its AI groups, culminating in the establishment of Meta Superintelligence Labs. This unit is led by Alexandr Wang, the ex-CEO of Scale AI—a startup specializing in data labeling and AI solutions. The partnership between Meta and Scale AI has strengthened following Meta’s investment in the startup last month, valuing Scale AI at an impressive $29 billion, demonstrating the rapidly rising importance and valuation of AI-focused companies. Alexandr Wang now also serves as Meta’s Chief AI Officer, solidifying his critical role in advancing the company’s AI innovations.

The hiring of Ruoming Pang further validates Meta’s strategic approach to build a team of distinguished AI professionals to drive progress in artificial intelligence, including the pursuit of superintelligent systems. Pang’s leadership of Apple’s AI foundation models division has equipped him with extensive expertise in developing advanced language models and AI frameworks, a skill highly valued across the tech industry. Neither Apple nor Meta have publicly addressed Pang’s departure or his new role yet. However, the news has ignited discussion among industry analysts about the growing mobility of AI talent and the lengths companies are willing to go to secure leadership in this swiftly evolving field. This development exemplifies the larger race to lead AI innovation—a contest characterized by aggressive talent acquisition, major investments in AI research and startups, and the creation of specialized units dedicated to expanding AI technology. As AI continues to revolutionize sectors such as technology, healthcare, finance, and beyond, attracting experienced leaders like Pang may prove crucial for companies seeking to fully harness AI’s potential. In summary, Ruoming Pang’s move from Apple to Meta underscores the fierce competition among industry giants aiming to dominate the AI landscape. Meta’s recent restructuring and investments demonstrate its determination to become a significant force in the future of artificial intelligence. This escalating battle for top AI executives and innovators is likely to keep reshaping the tech industry in the coming years, driving innovation and potentially transforming the global tech ecosystem.