https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/31/technology/ai-researchers-nba-stars.html

 

Artificial Intelligence

  * Dementia and A.I.
  * Education
  * Video Games
  * Math Skills

You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your
access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will
load.
[00ai-talen]
Credit...Janet Mac
Skip to contentSkip to site index
 

A.I. Researchers Are Negotiating $250 Million Pay Packages. Just Like
N.B.A. Stars.

A.I. technologists are approaching the job market as if they were
Steph Curry or LeBron James, seeking advice from their entourages and
playing hardball with the highest bidders.

Credit...Janet Mac

Supported by

SKIP ADVERTISEMENT

  * Share full article
  * 
  * 

Mike IsaacEli TanCade Metz

By Mike IsaacEli Tan and Cade Metz

Reporting from San Francisco

  * Published July 31, 2025Updated Aug. 1, 2025

Over the summer, Matt Deitke got a phone call from Mark Zuckerberg,
Meta's chief executive.

Listen to this article with reporter commentary

Mr. Zuckerberg wanted Mr. Deitke, a 24-year-old artificial
intelligence researcher who had recently helped found a start-up, to
join Meta's research effort dedicated to "superintelligence," a
technology that could hypothetically exceed the human brain. The
company promised him around $125 million in stock and cash over four
years if he came aboard.

The offer was not enough to lure Mr. Deitke, who wanted to stick with
his start-up, two people with knowledge of the talks said. He turned
Mr. Zuckerberg down.

So Mr. Zuckerberg personally met with Mr. Deitke. Then Meta returned
with a revised offer of around $250 million over four years, with
potentially up to $100 million of that to be paid in the first year,
the people said. The compensation jump was so startling that Mr.
Deitke asked his peers what to do. After many discussions, some of
them urged him to take the deal -- which he did.

Silicon Valley's A.I. talent wars have become so frenzied -- and so
outlandish -- that they increasingly resemble the stratospheric market
for N.B.A. stars.

Young A.I. researchers are being recruited as if they were Steph
Curry or LeBron James, with nine-figure compensation packages
structured to be paid out over several years. To navigate the froth,
many of the 20-somethings have turned to unofficial agents and
entourages to strategize. And they are playing hardball with the
companies to get top dollar, much as basketball players shop for the
best deals from teams.

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in
Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe
 for all of The Times.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber? Log in.

Want all of The Times? Subscribe.

Related Content

  * 
  * 
  * 
  * 
  * 
  * 

  * 
  * 
  * 

  * 
  * 
  * 
  * 
  * 
  * 
  * 
  * 
  * 
  * 

Advertisement

SKIP ADVERTISEMENT

Site Index

Site Information Navigation

  * (c) 2025 The New York Times Company

  * NYTCo
  * Contact Us
  * Accessibility
  * Work with us
  * Advertise
  * T Brand Studio
  * Your Ad Choices
  * Privacy Policy
  * Terms of Service
  * Terms of Sale
  * Site Map
  * Canada
  * International
  * Help
  * Subscriptions

  * Manage Privacy Preferences