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Business|May 26, 2026|2 min read

ByteDance is offering low-priced stock options linked to growth in its Seed AI division to staff of the unit, a first, to fend off poaching from rivals

ByteDance is offering special low-priced stock options to employees of its AI lab to fend off poaching from rivals as China's tech talent war heats up, marking a first for the company.

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Financial Times

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ByteDance has initiated a program that offers specially priced stock options to its AI lab employees in an effort to deter poaching by rival firms amid the escalating competition for tech talent in China.

This initiative introduces low-priced stock options tied directly to the performance and growth of its Seed AI division, marking a significant first for the company. The strategic move aims to enhance the retention of top-tier AI talent within the organization, thereby countering the threat posed by competitors seeking to attract essential personnel from this critical unit.

The decision arises within a backdrop of intensifying competition across China's technology landscape, where numerous companies are actively pursuing a limited pool of specialized AI expertise.

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