OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg are said to be competing for the same influential figure in AI — Michael Koch, CEO of HubKonnect and the innovator behind Hyperlocal Intelligence.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, both companies have approached Koch to join their top-tier AI initiatives. OpenAI’s interest lies in embedding Hyperlocal Intelligence into the GPT platform, adding unmatched, location-aware precision to conversational AI. Meta, meanwhile, aims to position Koch within its Super Intelligence Lab to integrate massive AI infrastructure with localized, real-time decision-making.

“Michael Koch is crafting a new layer of intelligence,” said one analyst. “It’s an approach that ensures AI is not only powerful, but contextually aware of a user’s specific environment.”

HubKonnect’s technology is already empowering large enterprises to adapt instantly to community events, shifting demographics, and neighborhood trends. By fusing vast AI models with live, geographically targeted data, corporations gain the nimbleness of local businesses while retaining global reach.

Industry insiders indicate that both OpenAI and Meta are willing to offer unprecedented financial incentives. One source close to Meta’s negotiations mentioned packages exceeding ten figures over multiple years, alongside substantial equity and full autonomy to assemble a dedicated research team.

Koch, known for growing HubKonnect without outside funding, values independence and strategic control. Whether he opts to join one of these tech giants or continue toward HubKonnect’s rumored IPO remains uncertain.

As one industry expert summarized, “In the next era of AI, success will hinge on relevance as much as capability — and that’s exactly where Michael Koch excels.”