Competing for AI developers
The surge in generative AI development in recent times has left corporations and governments competing, on a global scale, for talent to develop, defend and innovate the seminal technology linked to it.
Across the world a veritable frenzy is truly taking a hold of the professional world. This is resulting in astronomical job offers from governments and tech giants such as Google and Baidu who are offering packages that sometimes double their prospective employees salaries.
This is extending to many other fields aside from the obvious, which is why the demand and scalability is so intense. Many sectors including healthcare and finance are also attempting to build, develop and harness their own engines and adaptations. Meaning almost every industry in the world is hiring the professionals who work in and around AI.
The sheer speed of development has meant competition is as important a factor as any, with many companies and organisations looking to level up their commitment and their proficiency with generative AI as a matter of necessity, to stay ahead or simply remain in the game.
The co-founder of WalkWater Talent Advisors, Mr Rahul Shah has commented on what he has described as an “insatiable need for talent”. Stating that no “AI can’t be outsourced, it’s core to the organisation”.
Every entity must create and develop AI to the maximum efficiency of the intended purpose and any result that is not as effective or efficient as this will simply be redundant due to the incredibly unforgiving, competitive nature of the environment producing AI.
In line with this claim, there have been reports of absurd, even obscene cases related to industry recruitment. Mr Shah stated that his firm had only recently handled a new employer who had doubled the new candidate’s pay.
As a key example, India, which has always possessed an economy constructed firmly on the plentiful supply of skilled workers, especially in the multitude of avenues for technology development and deployment, is running short of workers in several critical fields.
Power players such as Google and Microsoft are hiring workers by the thousands and it does not seem to be enough. Trade group Nasscom commented on the severity of the situation:
The proportion of unfilled job roles is approximately 51 per cent of the current installed talent base
The rate of competitive development and the rapid necessity for scalability and increased productivity will only increase with the Indian government’s intentions to unequivocally avoid regulatory action and forgo any amendments or re-regulation according to the current law.
This sort of embrace from India has meant several other nations will be caught out, highlighting yet again the intensely competitive nature of the growing industry. Some nations are not even intending to mitigate their sectors with new legislation but encourage development; however, it seems the process and the structures necessary are extremely fragile.
The United Kingdom has made steps with the intention of growing and encouraging developments in generative AI. In the hopes that it will create opportunities to grow the economy, supply more well compensated employment and advance both healthcare and security.
In lieu of these ambitions the UK government has already allocated a primary fund of ￡100 million to finance not only the development but also to foster a secure and trustworthy relationship between AI and the infrastructure related to the economy.
Although this is of great significance and concern to security, the emphasis placed on a trustworthy relationship between those who are affected and those who develop AI is an issue that threatens to hinder the development of AI in many countries.
Whereas India has shown a complete faith in the importance of AI, other nations will show a decent amount of caution when regulating it and this will inevitably affect competitiveness.
As always the problem and the perceived solution is money. The expertise required as aforementioned is expensive, almost extortionately. However, in order to both remain at the furthermost edge of development and consistently regulate generative AI to the degree where development is maximised and the necessary safeties are secured, this expertise is indispensable.
It seems however, regulatory action, even if it is with the intention of fostering a relationship built on trust, hinders the creation and improvement of AI, damaging the UK’s competitive advantage. Companies such as Google, would be well suited to avoiding markets such as this altogether and taking all the expertise at the highest level with them.
The UK government’s commitment to generative AI integration seems shaky when considering several posts of high level seniority have been offered with shockingly low salaries. This could have a nasty knock on effect when considering the most powerful corporations will be more than willing to perhaps even triple such offers without hesitation.
The future looks bright for generative AI regardless of the abundant scepticism, and any nation that can harness and encourage its progress within their own borders will be well served. This will allow governments to keep pace both in terms of development and regulation, as well as securely observe the market surrounding generative AI with key expertise and knowledge. What is certain for now is that a more willing financial approach will have to be inaugurated to remain in a significant position.
