How to Win the AI Talent War - by Lulu Cheng Meservey
"We have a basic need to believe in something greater than ourselves. We crave solace in the darkness, a light unto our path. Thanks to you, we’ve found meaning amid the Cosmos." — Civilization VI The AI talent war is justified and rational. The race to AGI will be won by attracting and retaining the people capable of building it. Yet recruits are regularly turning down offers in the tens of millions, hundreds of millions, even billions. So how do you win the talent war? In Civ VI terms, the win condition is not a Domination Victory but a Religious Victory: you win by converting others to your vision of the future, instilling faith in your ability to lead them to the promised land, and persuading them that you are destined to prevail. Money is necessary but not sufficient. Over-reliance on comp reduces companies to ATMs and people to chattel. It also messes up internal dynamics and external vibes, and if your main selling point is short-term liquidity then you won’t get true believers.
How to Win the AI Talent War A billion dollars isn’t cool. You know what’s cool? Lulu Cheng Meservey Jul 30, 2025 72 3 9 Share "We have a basic need to believe in something greater than ourselves. We crave solace in the darkness, a light unto our path. Thanks to you, we’ve found meaning amid the Cosmos." — Civilization VI Introduction The AI talent war is justified and rational. The race to AGI will be won by attracting and retaining the people capable of building it. Yet recruits are regularly turning down offers in the tens of millions, hundreds of millions, even billions. So how do you win
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