Priscilla Chan, co-founder of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), is using powerful computing hardware—not massive salaries—to attract top research talent. On the Core Memory podcast, Chan explained that CZI now runs about 1,000 high-end GPUs and is buying more so scientists can pursue advanced research. She said many researchers value access to GPUs just as much as pay. “You're not going to make the most of someone if you don't actually have the GPUs for them to work from,” she noted. Instead of matching Big Tech salaries, Chan pitches candidates on the ability to do meaningful work backed by serious computing power. “We cannot compete with tech companies on this,” she admitted. CZI has focused its mission on “science-first philanthropy,” prioritizing biomedical research with its biggest bets. Meanwhile, her husband Mark Zuckerberg is attracting AI talent to Meta’s Superintelligence Labs with massive compensation packages and a promise of 1.3 million GPUs by year-end. Meta is reportedly spending up to $65 billion this year and recently hired two top researchers from OpenAI. Some offers have reached $300 million over four years. Analysts warn Meta’s GPU buying spree could inflate prices and crowd out nonprofits—unless vendors step in with discounted access.