The technological sector in the United States may be facing a huge exodus of skills, while most commentators are already considering Europe as a alternative, says Meta’s chief AI officer Yann LeCun. In his most recent post on LinkedIn, LeCun argued that the US is effectively undermining its public research funding model, which is forcing many scientists to find alternatives abroad.
“As for Plan B, many US-based scientists are looking for it,” LeCun said, highlighting the declining support for scientific research in the country. The warning comes as the Donald Trump administration moves to sign into law a series of executive orders that would slash funding for key research institutions such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which has been a major funder of biomedical research.
More cuts are expected to come from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) which is targeting agencies like NIH, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Environmental Protection Agency and even NASA. The reductions are already causing a concern about the impact on the tech sector and scientific innovation in the country.
LeCun identified the key conditions that have to be met to attract the best scientific talent: having access to the best students, generous research support, fair payment, the ability to conduct research without interference, good facilities, industry relations and a good balance of administrative roles. He noted that while European academia is strong on the aspects of student access and research freedom, it is weak on funding, compensation, and industry engagement.
“As for tech talent, it thrives in the conditions that support innovation and have strong institutional back up,” he emphasised, calling on policymakers to make science and technology careers more appealing. He warned that unless the situation changes dramatically, the USA will be unable to maintain its position as the leading country in science and technology, since researchers and scientists will prefer better conditions and support available abroad.
