I left Google after making nearly $1M in a year. Fears about layoffs and missing out on the AI boom gave me the push.
THE SO WHAT
When someone walks away from nearly $1M in comp at Google to chase AI upside and avoid perceived layoff risk, it’s a signal that talent now prices option value over cash. If you’re not a top lab, your edge is speed and ownership—design roles and equity so ambitious builders feel like they’re compounding, not waiting.
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