How is Priscilla Chan at CZI attracting top talent differently from tech giants like Meta?

Co-founder of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), Priscilla Chan, is luring top research talent with powerful computing technology rather than high compensation.

In a recent episode of the Core Memory podcast, Chan shared that CZI is investing heavily in computing power rather than competing on salaries. The organization currently runs approximately 1,000 high-end GPUs, with more on the way, empowering researchers to tackle ambitious scientific challenges.

“You're not going to make the most of someone if you don't actually have the GPUs for them to work from,” Chan explained. She emphasized that for many scientists, access to powerful infrastructure is just as valuable - if not more than a high paycheck.

While Meta is reportedly spending up to $65 billion this year to scale its Superintelligence Labs, including plans to acquire 1.3 million GPUs and offering some researchers as much as $300 million over four years, Chan is pitching something different: the chance to do meaningful, long-term scientific work with best-in-class tools.

CZI’s model, rooted in “science-first philanthropy,” is centered on accelerating biomedical research rather than commercial AI. Chan openly acknowledges that she can't match Silicon Valley salaries, but she believes offering researchers access to elite resources and the opportunity to drive impactful discoveries is a compelling and competitive alternative.

However, industry analysts have raised concerns that Meta’s aggressive GPU buying could inflate market prices and make it harder for nonprofits like CZI to scale - unless hardware providers step in with subsidized access or alternative solutions.