每天给白领发 1000 万，他成了硅谷最年轻亿万富翁

Core Insights - The article highlights the rise of Mercor, a company co-founded by 22-year-old Brendan Foody, which recently completed a $350 million funding round, achieving a valuation of $10 billion, making Foody the youngest self-made billionaire in history [5][10][12] Company Overview - Mercor was founded by three college dropouts who identified a gap in the market for AI training, acting as intermediaries between AI companies and freelance experts [7][14] - The business model involves assigning AI training tasks to highly skilled freelancers, including those with backgrounds in law and finance, who can earn up to $200 per hour [7][9] Financial Performance - Mercor's revenue growth has been remarkable, with annual revenue increasing from $100 million to $500 million within a year, and the company has expanded its workforce from fewer than 20 to 300 employees [13] - The company maintains profitability despite high payroll costs, paying approximately $1.5 million daily to its skilled freelancers [13] Market Context - The article discusses the broader implications of Mercor's business model in the context of the AI boom, suggesting that the demand for human input in AI training will create a new category of work [10][19] - Mercor's growth is closely tied to the fortunes of major AI companies, indicating potential vulnerabilities if the AI market experiences a downturn [17] Labor Dynamics - The company is positioned as a high-skilled gig economy platform, contrasting with traditional employment models, and aims to redefine labor in the AI era [19] - However, there are concerns regarding labor conditions, as the company has been criticized for creating a "premium outsourcing market" that may exploit highly educated workers [19][20]