The Race to Buy the Human Brains Behind Deep Learning Machines - Businessweek

Deep learning => deep pockets

"Elon Musk invested in DeepMind, as did the Founders Fund and Jaan Tallinn, an early Kazaa and Skype (MSFT) employee with a penchant for backing artificial-intelligence projects. “DeepMind is bona fide in terms of its research capabilities and depth,” says Peter Lee, who heads Microsoft Research.
According to Lee, Microsoft, Facebook (FB), and Google find themselves in a battle for deep learning talent. Microsoft has gone from four full-time deep learning experts to 70 in the past three years. “We would have more if the talent was there to be had,” he says. “Last year, the cost of a top, world-class deep learning expert was about the same as a top NFL quarterback prospect. The cost of that talent is pretty remarkable.”"

The Race to Buy the Human Brains Behind Deep Learning Machines - Businessweek