(C) NewsBytes

SAN FRANCISCO – OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has set a new benchmark in Silicon Valley by granting its employees the highest level of stock-based compensation (SBC) in the history of Big Tech.

According to a report by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on January 1, the artificial intelligence powerhouse distributed an average of $1.5 million (approx. 2.17 billion KRW) per person in stock-based rewards to its workforce of roughly 4,000 employees this year.

Unprecedented Figures in Tech History
Even when adjusted for inflation, this figure is staggering. OpenAI’s compensation is 34 times higher than the average SBC offered by 18 major tech giants in the year prior to their respective initial public offerings (IPOs) since 2000.

For comparison, Google—which previously held the record for high stock rewards—disclosed compensation in 2003 that was seven times lower than OpenAI’s current package.

Dominance in Revenue-to-Compensation Ratio
Data analysis firm Equilar highlights that OpenAI is allocating 46.2% of its annual revenue to stock-based compensation. This ratio significantly outperforms other industry leaders:

Alphabet (Google): 14.6%
Palantir: 32.6%
Meta: 5.9%

Palantir has previously faced criticism from shareholders for diluting equity through excessive employee stock grants; however, OpenAI’s figures have now far surpassed those levels.

A Strategic Move to Retain Talent
Industry analysts suggest that these "jackpot" rewards are a defensive maneuver to prevent talent drain. As the global race for artificial intelligence intensifies, OpenAI is facing stiff competition for top-tier researchers and engineers.

To maintain its competitive edge, OpenAI has implemented several aggressive retention strategies:

One-time Bonuses: In August, the company issued one-time bonuses worth millions of dollars to research and engineering staff.
Policy Changes: The company recently abolished the "six-month minimum service" requirement previously needed for employees to qualify for stock rewards.
Through these measures, OpenAI aims to fortify its workforce against poaching efforts by rivals while cementing its status as the most lucrative employer in the tech industry.

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