How big tech is winning the battle for AI talent

If you can’t hire them, buy them. That’s the new mantra for Microsoft, Meta, Google and others as they hoover up in-demand AI talent.

Over the past 18 months there have been a number of big money deals for AI companies with the clear intention of acquiring the talent involved, as much as other assets. In the age of generative AI, acqui-hiring has never been more popular.

Microsoft spent $650 million to license Inflection AI’s technology and hire its key staff. Amazon struck a similar deal for $330 million with Adept AI. Google and Cognition essentially divvied up Windsurf’s staff between them, and Meta invested almost $15 billion in Scale AI for a 49% nonvoting stake and the CEO jumping ship. 

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