The AI talent competition where banknotes flutter, Sam Altman: Giants are betting on the chosen ones to achieve breakthroughs in AGI.

Silicon Valley and Wall Street are pouring billions of dollars into capturing AI talent, with Sam Altman stating in an interview: this is the most intense talent market I have seen in my career. (Background: OpenAI open source weight model GPT-OSS: How can Apache 2.0 crown developers? CoT thinking chains unlock secure sovereignty) (Context: OpenAI is valued at $300 billion with over $8.3 billion in excess funding! Annual revenue of $13 billion, with weekly active users exceeding 800 million) In 2025, the fiercest front in the tech circle will not be in chips or platforms, but in people. Giants like Meta, Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI are competing for top AI researchers who can lead humanity towards 'AGI' with contracts often worth hundreds of millions of dollars. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently admitted in an interview with CNBC that this is the most intense talent market he has seen in his career, but if you consider the economic value these individuals create, and our investment in computing, you'll realize the market may remain in this state. As cash is ignited like rocket fuel, markets, companies, and talent are pushed to unprecedented heights. The salary race of flying cash In just one year, the AI salary ceiling has been repeatedly rewritten. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg personally offered a 24-year-old researcher, Matt Deitke, a $250 million contract over four years, with $100 million in the first year. These packages are mostly composed of high base salaries, massive signing bonuses, and immediate vesting equity. Altman pointed out that the willingness of giants to bear costs stems from the anticipation of breakthroughs in 'AGI' and the billion-dollar level of computing power investment behind it. Researcher Matt Deitke was recruited by Zuckerberg to Meta Altman's perspective gap When the market focuses on a few star engineers, Altman reflects that the truly breakthrough candidates may be far more numerous than outsiders estimate. He estimates that the number of people with critical skills globally could be in the thousands or even tens of thousands. 'I bet it is much larger than people imagine, but some companies only chase after those shiny names.' He said: the concentrated bets of giants are a direct response to uncertainty, and a gamble expecting a 'genius flash of insight,' the outcome of which we currently do not know. However, Altman hinted that true innovation may come from 'a few medium-sized individuals' achieving key breakthroughs in algorithms, rather than the most expensive stars at present. The key to retaining talent beyond money However, high salaries are just a ticket to get on board; whether one can retain people depends on culture and mission. Although Meta's offers are astonishing, data shows that recruitment results are not stable. Many talents care about research freedom, cutting-edge challenges, and opportunities to spar with experts. Microsoft emphasizes a 'startup-like culture,' Google highlights world-class computing resources, and OpenAI has announced a $1.5 million retention bonus for all employees. Top engineers are not just looking for cash; they also want to leave a mark at a historic turning point. The chain effect of industry and capital In the future, capital is expected to further concentrate on a few AI giants and unicorns, making the 'the bigger the better' effect hard to ignore. For investors, it is essential to examine the impact of exorbitant salaries on long-term profitability and shareholder returns; for startups, without unique technology or vision, it will be difficult to compete with giants. However, while money can ignite the flames of competition, it cannot determine the outcome. Creating an environment that inspires a sense of mission and sparks collaboration is also crucial. Altman pointed out that a vast and diverse talent pool is the true fuel for advancing 'AGI.' For Silicon Valley and Wall Street, how to balance high premiums and long-term innovation will determine the technological landscape of the next decade. Related reports Is your TikTok Shop still secure? AI + fake apps + phishing pages, a new type of scam 'ClickTok' is targeting your crypto wallet How long has it been since you seriously thought about it? Princeton scholars warn: AI is eroding the 'heritage of the Enlightenment' Lawyer Lin Shanglun's article》AI defeats three lawyers? Don't get it wrong, this is the prologue to 'Lawyer 2.0' <The cash-flying AI talent acquisition race, Sam Altman: Giants are betting on the chosen ones to achieve AGI breakthroughs> This article was first published in BlockTempo, the most influential blockchain news media.