Meta Sought to Acquire Safe Superintelligence Inc., Hires CEO Daniel Gross in High-Stakes AI Move

Meta makes key AI play by attempting Safe Superintelligence acquisition, securing CEO Daniel Gross

In a significant development in the race for artificial intelligence dominance, Meta (formerly Facebook) recently made a major push to acquire Safe Superintelligence Inc., the high-profile AI startup launched by Daniel Gross, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. Although the acquisition talks did not materialize, Meta has hired Gross as a key AI executive, marking a strategic move to strengthen its position in the burgeoning AI market.

Meta’s Bid for Safe Superintelligence: What Happened?

Sources told CNBC that Meta approached Safe Superintelligence Inc., an AI company founded earlier this year by tech veterans Daniel Gross, Daniel Levy, and Christian Szegedy, with an acquisition offer. The startup, known for its focus on safely advancing artificial general intelligence (AGI), was launched just days before Meta initiated discussions.

The acquisition talks ultimately fell through, but Meta’s AI ambitions did not stop there. The company quickly pivoted and successfully hired Daniel Gross, former head of AI at Apple and noted entrepreneur, to lead Meta’s applied machine learning strategies.

Why Meta Wanted Safe Superintelligence

Safe Superintelligence Inc. (SSI) was founded with the explicit mission to develop advanced AI in a manner that prioritizes safety and minimizes existential risks—a topic that has drawn increasing attention as AGI approaches practical reality. The founders’ pedigree—Gross (formerly of Apple and Y Combinator), Daniel Levy (ex-Google DeepMind), and Christian Szegedy (noted AI researcher)—gives the startup outsized influence in the AI community.

Meta’s approach to AGI has emphasized both rapid innovation and the need for robust safe-guards. The attempted acquisition demonstrates Meta’s urgency to secure top talent and technology amid intensifying competition from OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, and emerging upstarts. As per industry insiders, the deal would have brought not only cutting-edge talent but also crucial intellectual property focused on AI alignment and control.

Daniel Gross: AI Visionary Joins Meta

Although Meta did not acquire SSI, hiring Daniel Gross is a coup. Widely regarded as one of the world’s top AI minds, Gross previously led Apple’s AI division and co-founded Pioneer, a global startup accelerator. At Meta, Gross will spearhead initiatives in applied AI, with a particular emphasis on advancing large language models and responsible AI deployment.

A Meta spokesperson commented:

"Daniel Gross brings a unique combination of technical expertise and visionary thinking to our AI initiatives. We are excited to work together to drive safe, impactful innovation."

Industry Reactions and Implications

The news has sent ripples through Silicon Valley. Jan Leike, a leading AI safety researcher, tweeted:

"The arms race for top AI talent is heating up. Meta’s move signals just how vital safe, aligned AGI is for the future."

Meanwhile, critics point to the inherent risks of industry leaders consolidating talent and resources in the pursuit of AGI, with some calling for increased regulatory scrutiny and more transparency around safety protocols.

"Acquiring top safety-focused AI talent is a double-edged sword. It increases the chance of safe innovation, but also concentrates power," said Dr. Fei-Fei Li, Stanford AI Professor.

The Broader AI Talent Wars

Meta’s overtures come against the backdrop of an intense scramble for AI leaders. OpenAI, backed by Microsoft, has been scooping up academic talent; Google has reorganized its DeepMind and Google Brain teams; and startups like Anthropic have drawn large investments. Salaries and perks for AI researchers have soared, reflecting both the risks and rewards participants see in ushering in the age of AGI.

What’s Next for Safe Superintelligence Inc. and Meta?

SSI remains independent. In a statement, the company said it remains committed to its vision of developing beneficial superintelligence for all humanity and is "excited to see the growing industry focus on AI safety."

Meta, meanwhile, will integrate Gross’s expertise into both its foundational research and commercial product lines. Analysts expect this to translate into accelerated improvements in Meta AI-powered products, including news feeds, moderation, and new generative AI features inside popular apps such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

The Stakes in the Safe AI Race

Meta’s aggressive pursuit of SSI and the high-profile hiring of Daniel Gross underscores the urgency—and promise—of ensuring AI evolves along safe, beneficial trajectories. As competitors race to develop more powerful systems, the intersection of technological innovation and safety remains the central debate shaping AI’s future.

Sources:

CNBC: Meta tried to buy Safe Superintelligence, hired CEO Daniel Gross

Public statements from Safe Superintelligence Inc. (SSI)

Social media commentary from Jan Leike, Dr. Fei-Fei Li

Corporate press releases and previous reporting on AI industry talent wars