In the competitive world of artificial intelligence, companies are offering mind-boggling pay packages to attract top talent. However, OpenAI is taking a different approach by targeting aspiring researchers from adjacent fields like physics and neuroscience.
The company’s six-month residency program offers full-time paid positions to individuals who share its passion for AI despite not having formal education or work experience in the field. The annualized salary of $210,000 translates to around $105,000 during the six-month program, making it an attractive option for those looking to break into the industry.
OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman believes that this approach will help cultivate a deep understanding of the AI mission among its employees, rather than relying solely on financial incentives. He argues that “money alone won’t secure the best people” and that Meta’s aggressive recruitment tactics will lead to cultural problems.
As OpenAI continues to attract top talent, it faces stiff competition from rival companies like Meta. However, by focusing on building a strong company culture and mission-driven approach, Altman believes that his organization can remain highly effective despite the scarcity of top-tier AI talent worldwide.
Estimates suggest there are only about 2,000 people globally capable of pushing the boundaries of large language models and advanced AI research. With its unconventional residency program, OpenAI is determined to tap into this pool of talent and create a sustainable path for growth in the highly competitive AI industry.
Source: https://fortune.com/2025/07/05/openai-is-betting-millions-on-building-ai-talent-from-the-ground-up-amid-rival-metas-poaching-pitch