Tech

Fight for AI talent as companies offer million dollar packages

Published

2 years ago

March 28, 2024

Ahron Young

As the demand for expertise in generative AI surges, tech companies are engaging in fierce competition, offering million-dollar compensation packages and even poaching entire engineering teams.

This fervent pursuit of AI talent occurs against a backdrop of layoffs in other tech sectors and a significant reallocation of resources towards AI development.

Tech companies are going to unprecedented lengths to attract individuals with expertise in generative AI, the technology that underpins innovations like ChatGPT and humanlike bots.

With a shortage of qualified candidates, these companies are resorting to eye-catching compensation packages and aggressive recruitment tactics to secure the necessary talent.

According to Naveen Rao, head of Generative AI at Databricks, the pool of individuals capable of training large language models (LLMs) from scratch or tackling complex AI problems is extremely limited.

AI is becoming a top job skill.

Requisite skills

Rao estimates that only a few hundred people possess the requisite skills, leading to intense competition among employers.

To entice top-tier candidates, companies are offering total compensation packages exceeding $1 million annually, far surpassing industry norms.

Sales professionals with expertise in AI are also in high demand, commanding double the salary of their counterparts in other sectors.

The scarcity of AI talent is reflected in significant salary increases across managerial and non-managerial roles within the industry.

A survey by WTW revealed base-pay increases ranging from 5% to 19% from April 2022 to April 2023, with median compensation figures reaching staggering heights.

Startup struggle

Startups, in particular, are facing challenges in attracting and retaining talent due to their limited resources compared to tech giants like Google and Meta.

Despite offering potentially lucrative equity incentives, startups struggle to compete with the financial stability and resources provided by established companies.

Some individuals with entrepreneurial aspirations are leveraging the demand for AI expertise by launching their own startups.

Arthur Mensch, a former Google employee, founded Mistral AI, which quickly gained a valuation of over $2 billion within its first year.

Tech

OpenAI Unveils ChatGPT Atlas: The Future of Browsing?

Published

6 days ago

October 22, 2025

ticker NEWS

OpenAI has taken another giant leap forward with the launch of ChatGPT Atlas — an AI-powered web browser that could redefine how people search, explore, and interact online. Investors and competitors are watching closely as this new technology challenges the dominance of traditional browsers like Google Chrome.

With ChatGPT Atlas, users may soon experience a web that feels less like typing into a search box and more like conversing with an intelligent assistant. The integration of AI could make browsing faster, more intuitive, and more personalised than ever before — but it also raises serious questions about privacy and data use.

As AI becomes more deeply embedded in the digital world, ChatGPT Atlas could represent the next major step toward a fully AI-driven online experience. What does this mean for users — and for the tech giants trying to keep up?

Tech

OpenAI limits deepfakes after Bryan Cranston’s concerns

OpenAI protects against deepfakes on Sora 2 after Bryan Cranston and SAG-AFTRA raise concerns over unauthorized AI-generated content

Published

6 days ago

October 21, 2025

Ahron Young

OpenAI protects against deepfakes on Sora 2 after Bryan Cranston and SAG-AFTRA raise concerns over unauthorised AI-generated content

In Short:
– OpenAI partners with Bryan Cranston and unions to combat deepfakes on its Sora app.
– The app now includes options for people to control their likenesses and voices.

OpenAI announced it will work with Bryan Cranston, SAG-AFTRA, and actor unions to combat deepfakes on its AI video app, Sora.Cranston voiced concerns after unauthorized AI-generated clips featuring his likeness emerged after Sora 2’s launch in late September. He showed gratitude to OpenAI for taking steps to safeguard actors’ rights to control their likenesses.

The partnership aims to enhance protections against unauthorized AI content. The Creative Artists Agency and United Talent Agency had previously criticized OpenAI, citing risks to their clients’ intellectual property.

Last week, OpenAI blocked disrespectful videos of Martin Luther King Jr. at the request of his estate, following similar pressures. Zelda Williams also requested the public refrain from sending her AI-generated clips of her late father, Robin Williams.

Policy Changes

Following tensions post-launch, CEO Sam Altman revised Sora’s policy to give rights holders greater control of their likenesses.

The app now allows individuals to opt-out, reflecting OpenAI’s commitment to respond quickly to concerns from performers.

OpenAI backs the NO FAKES Act, supporting legislation that aims to protect individuals from unauthorized AI-generated representations.

OpenAI is focused on ensuring performers’ rights are respected regarding the misuse of their voices and likenesses. Altman reiterated the company’s dedication to these protections.

Tech

Major apps down as AWS experiences global outage

AWS outage disrupts Fortnite, Snapchat and multiple services globally

Published

1 week ago

October 20, 2025

Ahron Young

AWS outage disrupts Fortnite, Snapchat and multiple services globally

In Short:
– AWS outage on Monday disrupted major apps like Fortnite, Snapchat, and affected several global companies.
– UK companies including Lloyds Bank and Vodafone reported issues due to the AWS outage.

Amazon’s AWS experienced a significant outage on Monday, impacting major apps including Fortnite and Snapchat. The disruption affected connectivity for numerous companies globally.AWS reported increased error rates and latencies across multiple services and is attempting to recover quickly.

The outage marks the first significant internet disruption since a previous incident last year that impacted essential technology systems globally. AWS offers on-demand computing and storage services and is vital for many websites and platforms.

Multiple companies reported disruptions, including AI startup Perplexity, cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, and trading app Robinhood. Perplexity’s CEO confirmed on X that the outages were linked to AWS issues.

Amazon’s shopping site, Prime Video, and Alexa services also faced difficulties, according to Downdetector. Other affected platforms included popular gaming applications like Clash Royale and financial services such as Venmo and Chime.

Uber competitor Lyft’s app was reported down for numerous users in the U.S. Messaging platform Signal also acknowledged connection problems stemming from the AWS outage.

British Companies

In the UK, Lloyds Bank, Bank of Scotland, and telecom services provider Vodafone were notably affected. The HMRC’s website also encountered issues during this outage.

Elon Musk stated that his platform, X, remained operational despite the widespread disruptions.