Tech giants are vying for the world’s brightest AI minds, offering compensation packages that rival sports contracts and startup buyouts. Meta, Google DeepMind, OpenAI, and others are locked in a fierce competition to recruit top-tier researchers capable of advancing frontier AI.

AI’s Elite Are in Short Supply

Industry estimates suggest only a few dozen to around a thousand researchers worldwide possess the rare expertise to build groundbreaking large language models—sometimes referred to as “10,000× researchers” 

This acute scarcity has triggered an unprecedented talent market frenzy.

Nine-Figure Compensation: The New Normal

Meta is reportedly dangling signing bonuses of up to $100 million, in addition to annual packages exceeding that 

Google DeepMind is offering total compensation surpassing $20 million per year, including hefty equity grants. 

OpenAI isn’t sitting idle it’s offering $2 million retention bonuses and $20 million+ equity to ensure its core team stays in place 

CEOs in the Trenches

The talent war has become intensely personal. Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg has been directly courting candidates emailing, hosting dinners at his home, and making phone calls 

OpenAI’s Sam Altman similarly reached out personally to retain his star researchers 

Culture vs Cash: What Matters Most?

Despite the lavish offers, it’s not just about the money. Sam Altman cautions that “a ton of upfront guaranteed comp…[won’t] set up a great culture” 

Many top researchers prioritize mission, compute access, and creative autonomy over short-term financial incentives 

The Rise of ‘Acqui-Hires’

Big-tech has also turned to strategic “acqui-hires,” merging with smaller AI startups to bring talent and IP in one move. Meta’s takeover of Scale AI (and its CEO), Microsoft’s Inflection AI pickup, and Google’s deal with Character.AI are prime examples