"The List" is a secret compilation of top AI researchers curated by Mark Zuckerberg, targeting elite talent with Ph.D.s from prestigious schools. These recruits, mostly in their 20s and 30s, possess specialized skills crucial for advancing artificial intelligence, leading to lucrative offers that highlight their growing value in the tech industry.

OpenAI, Google, and xAI are in a fierce competition to attract top AI researchers, with salaries exceeding $10 million annually for elite talent. The increasing demand for skilled professionals has led companies to adopt innovative hiring strategies to secure individual contributors essential for advancing their AI capabilities.