Just before OpenAI rolled out GPT-5, the AI startup announced it was granting bonuses of a million dollars to a thousand eligible employees, primarily AI researchers and engineers across various departments.
It is reported that about a third of its entire team is eligible. This is the first time that such a large number of employees are being given a bonus. Clearly OpenAI is keen to retain its talented AI researchers. The demand for AI talent has surged in recent times with competition getting tougher and talent being poached by competitors, including Meta and xAI.
The Microsoft-backed maker of ChatGPT is yet to give details of the exact amount that each employee would get. However, the amount is likely to depend on the rank and role of the employees. The AI researchers, whose annual salaries run into millions of dollars are likely to get the highest payout.
The engineers are likely to receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in bonus, paid out over two years. The bonus may also be paid out in the form of stocks instead of cash, or both if the employees so wish.
Presently the value of OpenAI is reported to be about $300 billion.
Media reports say that OpenAI intends to permit its existing and ex employees to sell their vested stocks to investors and gain millions.
Sam Altman, CEO, OpenAI reportedly told The Verge that the company plans to keep increasing compensation as its performance and earnings go up.