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Steipete on why Europe can't retain talent due to regulations and labor laws

17 February, 2026

🇪🇺 @steipete on why Europe was unable to retain him as talent:

"In the US, most people are enthusiastic.

In Europe, I get insulted, people scream REGULATION and RESPONSIBILITY.

And if I really build a company here, then I get to struggle with things like investment protection laws, employee rights, and paralyzing labor regulations.

At OpenAI, most people work 6-7 days a week and get paid accordingly.

In Europe, that's illegal."

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