If your view is that LLMs only need minor improvements to their core technology and that the major engineering focus should be placed on productizing them, then losing a bunch of scientists might not be seen as that big of a deal.
But if your view is that they still need to overcome significant milestones to really unlock their value... then this is a pretty big loss.
I suppose there's a third view, which is: LLMs still need to overcome significant hurdles, but solutions to those hurdles are a decade or more away. So it's best to productize now, establish some positive cashflow and then re-engage with R&D when it becomes cheaper in the future and/or just wait for other people to solve the hard problems.
I would guess the dominant view of the industry right now is #1 or #3.
If your view is that LLMs only need minor improvements to their core technology and that the major engineering focus should be placed on productizing them, then losing a bunch of scientists might not be seen as that big of a deal.
But if your view is that they still need to overcome significant milestones to really unlock their value... then this is a pretty big loss.
I suppose there's a third view, which is: LLMs still need to overcome significant hurdles, but solutions to those hurdles are a decade or more away. So it's best to productize now, establish some positive cashflow and then re-engage with R&D when it becomes cheaper in the future and/or just wait for other people to solve the hard problems.
I would guess the dominant view of the industry right now is #1 or #3.