Silicon Valley’s talent wars are hotter than ever, with Big Tech and AI startups competing fiercely for top engineers. Yangshun Tay, a 35-year-old AI engineer in Singapore, recently caught the attention of Meta after posting about an OpenAI offer. The near-instant response from Meta highlights the intense competition for AI talent.
Tay previously worked at Meta for five years before leaving to build his own company, GreatFrontEnd, which helps software developers improve their skills. Despite being offered a job at Meta again, Tay expressed skepticism about returning, citing concerns over the opportunity cost of being an employee.
As AI advancements accelerate at an unprecedented pace, the value of individual talent becomes increasingly crucial. Top engineers can make or break breakthroughs, and companies are willing to pay significant sums to recruit them. However, with many companies simultaneously working on AI models, the competition for top talent is becoming increasingly fierce.
The benefits of this trend extend beyond just the companies involved, as it drives innovation and progress in the field. The rise of AI also changes the way teams work, enabling people to focus on high-level creative tasks while leaving routine work to machines.
Tay’s experience reflects this new landscape, where top engineers are increasingly choosing startup life over traditional employment. By sharing his story, Tay offers a unique perspective on the evolving talent market and the opportunities that come with it.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/openai-offer-sparked-instant-interest-from-meta-ai-engineer-says-2025-8