AI Talent Frenzy: Chinese Big Tech Competes for Top AI Professionals

AI Talent Scarcity Drives Competition among Chinese Big Tech

A scramble for artificial intelligence (AI) talent is intensifying in China, as local tech giants dangle eye-watering salaries to hire top-notch professionals to compete in a heated AI race. Beijing-based smartphone giant Xiaomi is hosting a special hiring session for AI experts in various fields including AI models, computer vision, deep learning, autonomous driving, and natural language processing. This strategy allows jobseekers a 'fast track' option, omitting written tests for quick application reviews by relevant departments.

Demand for AI Jobs Surging

Xiaomi is merely the latest in a long line of Chinese Big Tech firms keen to boost their AI manpower to keep pace with global competitors. ByteDance, Baidu, and Meituan have also escalated their recruitment efforts for AI roles, responding to a soaring demand for specialists, particularly in natural language processing (NLP).

• According to a report from Peking University and recruitment platform Zhilian Zhaopin, demand for NLP talent rose 111% from January to June, averaging a salary of 24,007 yuan ($3,350).
• Meanwhile, deep-learning talent demand jumped 61%, with avg. salaries at 26,279 yuan.
• Specialists in robotic algorithms saw a 76% rise in demand.
• Smart-driving systems and navigation jobs experienced a 50% demand increase.

This higher pay reflects not just the recruitment urgency but also the limited availability of esteemed talent in the sector.

Key AI Hubs: Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen

Among top cities, Beijing leads as the most AI talent-hungry, creating one-fifth of the nation’s AI-related positions. Other cities such as Shenzhen, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hangzhou follow closely, forming the top five regions for AI development.

These affluent areas boast vibrant economies and ample resources to develop their AI sectors, risking technology gaps with China's less developed regions.