Work It Who will win the race for global talent?
Oct 12, 2025
David Ha, the Co-founder and CEO of Sakana AI, dives into the talent race in the age of AI. He shares insights on attracting global talent to Japan by fostering a Silicon Valley-like culture. Ha emphasizes Japan's soft power in research and development to make it a magnet for skilled professionals. He also discusses the unique expectations of Gen Z in the workplace, highlighting their desire for ownership, flexibility, and career growth, while recognizing the importance of adapting to a rapidly changing job market.
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Invest In Skills And Trust
- Invest in employees' skills and careers and offer company-wide AI training like 'AI for everyone'.
- Build trust and clear career paths to retain staff beyond compensation alone.
Onboard Fast To Offset Turnover
- Improve speed of finding and onboarding new talent to offset inevitable turnover.
- Design onboarding to let hires make impact quickly rather than expecting long tenures.
Employee Spinouts Signal Ecosystem Strength
- Startups should welcome employees who will later found companies as a sign of success and ecosystem growth.
- Mission alignment and societal values can attract and retain ambitious talent.