OpenAI’s HR department is facing a challenging time as the company has seen the departure of about a dozen top researchers since the beginning of the year. One of the most notable exits was that of Ilya Sutskever, a co-founder who made significant contributions to the startup’s success, announcing his resignation on May 14th. While the reasons for his departure remain unclear, there are speculations that it may be linked to his previous attempt to oust Sam Altman, the firm’s CEO.
This trend of top researchers leaving OpenAI is not unique to the company, but rather reflects a broader pattern in the technology industry. Since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, the demand for AI talent has skyrocketed, with an estimated 20,000 companies in the West actively hiring AI experts. This surge in demand is due to the rapid advancements in machine learning and the potential for a “platform shift,” which has created new opportunities for those with AI skills.
The changing landscape of the AI industry has led to a more distributed market for talent, with AI experts no longer exclusively found at tech giants. This shift has resulted in increased competition for top talent and a greater emphasis on attracting and retaining skilled individuals. As a result, companies like OpenAI are facing challenges in retaining their top researchers and adapting to the evolving demands of the industry.