Home » US business news • US Employment News » OpenAI researchers turn down Salesforce CEO’s job offers
OpenAI researchers turn down Salesforce CEO’s job offers
https://www.whatjobs.com/news/usa/us-employment-news/openai-researchers-turn-down-salesforce-ceos-job-offers
By Nithya Bose in US business news, posted November 23, 2023
The Chair and CEO of Salesforce has attempted to address the growing unrest within OpenAI by offering staff jobs with equal pay.
The move from Marc Benioff follows the recent row over the departure, and subsequent reinstatement, of former OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and ex-president Greg Brockman to Microsoft.
Over 500 OpenAI researchers were reportedly considering resigning.
Read More: Sam Altman To Be Reinstated As The CEO Of OpenAI
Benioff moved quickly to offer jobs to any OpenAI researcher facing immigration challenges due to their resignation.
Mr Benioff wrote on X that Salesforce would match "full cash and equity OTE (open trade equity)" for those OpenAI researchers who chose to leave and join Salesforce's Einstein Trusted AI research team.
The offer specifically targeted staff impacted by immigration concerns related to O1, H1B, or other visas.
Benioff encouraged interested researchers to send their CVs directly.
Read More: OpenAI Faces Staff Exodus Following Sam Altman’s Ousting
He wrote on X: "Einstein is the most successful enterprise AI Platform completing 1 trillion predictive & generative transactions this week! Join our Trusted AI Enterprise Revolution.”
While Benioff's offer was praised as "super generous" by OpenAI's Tony Wu, he and other researchers expressed their commitment to stay with Altman and Brockman.
Looking to boost your online brand? Create your FREE business profile at WhatBiz? here.
"Compensation never crossed my mind!"
Boris Power, Head of Applied Research at OpenAI, chimed in, stressing the notion that the decision to leave was solely about pay.
He wrote: "Lol, like it was ever about compensation. We got >95 per cent in less than 24 hours, and the compensation never crossed my mind!"
Need Career Advice? Get employment skills advice at all levels of your career
Salesforce's move comes from the company's commitment to invest $500 million in generative artificial intelligence (AI) startups this year.
This investment, an expansion from the initial $250 million, is part of Salesforce's Generative AI Fund, aimed at supporting startups developing responsible generative AI.
Follow us on YouTube, X, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
