Overview
- Meta and Google are publicly pitching multi-year compensation packages topping $1 billion, including Google’s $2.4 billion deal for Windsurf executives and a refused $1.25 billion offer reported by Meta.
- OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says Meta’s $100 million signing bonuses have failed to sway the lab’s core researchers, reflecting a push for retention over poaching.
- Anthropic executives confirm nine-figure lures are real but report that mission-driven researchers are opting to stay despite lofty pay offers.
- Former Google HR chief Laszlo Bock calls $100 million per researcher a “bargain” in light of the strategic impact these hires can deliver.
- Startups are raising base AI salaries to $300,000–$400,000 and boosting equity grants to 2%–5% while pitching ownership and impact to candidates.