AI talent

OpenAI completed a $6.6 billion secondary share sale, valuing the company at $500 billion, a record for an AI firm. The sale, involving Thrive Capital, SoftBank, and others, allowed current and former employees to liquidate equity. While OpenAI authorized a larger sale, less than anticipated shares changed hands, seen as a sign of investor confidence. This follows a previous $1.5 billion deal and positions OpenAI as the most valuable private company, surpassing SpaceX. The sale aids employee retention amidst intense AI talent competition.

Chinese tech giants like Alibaba, ByteDance, and Tencent are aggressively recruiting AI talent for their 2026 campus programs. Recruitment numbers are up year-over-year, with a strong focus on AI research and development. ByteDance plans a 20% increase in hiring, while AI roles comprise over 60% of Alibaba’s openings. The competition is fierce, with reports of high compensation, including daily rates for AI interns, highlighting the strategic importance of AI in these companies’ future.