The competition for AI talent is intensifying
Sympathy for OpenAI’s HR team. Since the beginning of the year, the creator of ChatGPT, the popular AI chatbot, has seen a significant number of top researchers depart. The departure of Ilya Sutskever, a co-founder responsible for many of the startup’s major advancements, on May 14th was the most notable. While no reason was given for his resignation, speculation suggests it may be related to his previous attempt to remove Sam Altman, the company’s CEO, in December. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the departures, this trend is not unique to OpenAI. Reports indicate that approximately half of the 100 AI experts hired by the company since 2016 have left.
This trend is not solely a reflection of Mr. Altman’s leadership but rather a larger phenomenon in the tech industry, one that OpenAI itself has influenced. Since the introduction of ChatGPT in November 2022, the landscape of the AI labor market has shifted significantly. Zeki Research estimates that about 20,000 companies in the Western world are actively seeking AI professionals. The rapid progress in machine learning and the potential for a “platform shift” have altered the skill sets that employers are seeking and the locations where these skilled individuals are heading. This has led to a more decentralized market for AI talent, which was previously concentrated in tech giants.
2024-06-08 12:52:37
Originally published on www.economist.com