Behind the scenes in tech, there’s a real talent shuffle going on. But it’s not just any movement. We’re talking about a silent (and billion-dollar) war between big tech companies for elite artificial intelligence professionals. And it’s completely changing how hiring works in Silicon Valley.
If you work in tech, it’s worth understanding where this is all going.
Meta invests heavily in Scale AI
Meta has decided to go all in on the AI race, and it’s sparing no expense. Just in the past few days, the company hired two renowned researchers from Apple for its new “superintelligence” lab, directly supervised by Mark Zuckerberg.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. According to The Washington Post, some of the most sought-after professionals on the market are receiving compensation packages reaching $100 million, including bonuses and stock options. The idea is to build a team of AI superstars, and do it before the competition does.
Google, Meta, and the rise of “Talent-Driven” acquisitions
Another movement that’s becoming a trend is the “acqui-hire,” where a company acquires another primarily for the team (not just the technology). The Financial Times revealed that Google acquired a startup called Windsurf for $2.4 billion, while Meta shelled out an astonishing $14 billion to invest in Scale AI. The goal in these cases is to absorb highly specialized talent, like buying an entire NBA team.
Speaking of the NBA…
A “talent war” with draft-day energy
Perplexity’s own CEO, Aravind Srinivas, compared what’s happening to the NBA free agency market. In other words, those with money are signing the best, and those who sit still are being left without top players. The interview appeared on Business Insider.
The issue is that not every company is prepared to pay that much, and this has created a major gap between those who can attract top talent and those who can’t even compete.
Scale AI lays off… after receiving billions
And life is not a strawberry. Scale AI, which received Meta’s multibillion-dollar investment, laid off 14% of its workforce just days after the announcement. According to the San Francisco Chronicle (2025), the goal was to focus resources on the most strategic teams for integration with Meta’s new structure.
It shows that even with so much money involved, there are still cuts, restructurings, and tough decisions being made behind closed doors.
Do you get Déjà vu?
That’s the question that won’t go away. Some experts are already comparing the current frenzy to the dot-com bubble of the 1990s. Are we overinflating the value of AI talent? Will this hiring frenzy actually sustain such massive investments in the long run?
The answer is still uncertain. But one thing is clear: the tech job market will never be the same. The companies thriving today are those that understand AI is not just a department. And handling that kind of responsibility takes a heavyweight team, and that’s where we come in.
NextAge is the ideal partner when you need to boost your IT team. We specialize in allocating multidisciplinary IT squads, bringing digital transformation to your company.
