On the third anniversary of ChatGPT, new data reveals a reshaping of the global AI workforce—one defined not by size, but by extraordinary productivity.
A new study by TRG Datacenters shows that the world’s leading AI companies generate unprecedented amounts of revenue with remarkably small teams, illustrating a sector where automation makes humans dramatically more efficient. The findings highlight how frontier AI companies now outperform traditional tech giants by wide margins when it comes to revenue per employee.
According to TRG Datacenters,
“AI is already writing 50–60% of code at companies like GitHub and Google, meaning smaller teams can build bigger products. These companies make more revenue per person because the technology itself is doing work that used to require hiring.”
Here’s a quick overview of the most productive AI companies:
| Rank | Company | Employees | Revenue | Revenue per Employee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Copilot | 94 | $400M | $4.26M |
| 2 | OpenAI | 3,000 | $8.6B | $2.87M |
| 3 | DeepSeek | 160 | $200M | $1.25M |
| 4 | Tempus AI | 2,400 | $693M | $289K |
| 5 | xAI | 900 | $178M | $198K |
| 6 | Mistral AI | 350 | $30M | $85.7K |
| 7 | Google DeepMind | 6,000 | $506M | $84.3K |
| 8 | Anthropic | 1,300 | $87M | $66.9K |
| 9 | Perplexity AI | 1,600 | $80M | $49.1K |
Below is a detailed look at the study’s ranking and what it reveals about the future of AI-driven business.
Copilot: The Most Productive AI Company in the World
Leading the global productivity ranking is Copilot, operating with only 94 employees and generating $400M in annual income—more than $4.26M per employee.
With 20 million monthly active users, Copilot stands as the clearest example of how AI tools enable revenue at massive scale without the need for conventional headcount growth.
OpenAI: High Revenue, High Efficiency
In second place, OpenAI employs 3,000 people yet produces $8.6B in annual revenue—approximately $2.87M per employee, a figure nearly triple the tech-industry average.
With 800 million active users, each OpenAI employee effectively supports more than a quarter-million global users.
DeepSeek: Lean Team, High Output
Third on the list is DeepSeek, one of the leanest frontier-model developers. Despite employing just 160 people, the company brings in an estimated $200M—around $1.25M per employee.
Although DeepSeek remains quiet about its funding and valuation, it reportedly serves about 10 million users.
Tempus AI: Strong Productivity in Regulated Healthcare
Ranked fourth, Tempus AI—a major player bridging healthcare and artificial intelligence—employs 2,400 workers and generates $693M annually, equating to $289K per employee.
While lower than model-focused companies, it remains a strong figure within a sector marked by compliance requirements and data-handling restrictions.
xAI: Fast Growth, Solid Efficiency
Elon Musk’s xAI takes fifth place. With 900 employees, the company produces $178M—about $198K per employee.
Backed by $10B in funding and serving 64 million users, xAI remains one of the fastest-scaling AI companies on the market.
Mistral AI: Europe’s Standout Competitor
Sixth is Mistral AI, Europe’s rising challenger to U.S. and Chinese AI leaders. Its 350 employees generate $30M in revenue—about $85.7K per employee.
With a $13.7B valuation and $1.99B raised, Mistral has secured substantial investment to fuel its long-term growth strategy.
Google DeepMind: Large Workforce, Moderate Output
In seventh place is Google’s DeepMind, the largest team in the ranking with 6,000 employees generating $506M, or $84.3K per employee.
Despite its broad research mandate and extensive user base of 350 million, its revenue model differs from pure-play AI companies, influencing its position in the ranking.
Anthropic: Safety-Driven Focus, Lower Revenue Density
Eighth is Anthropic, with 1,300 employees generating $87M, roughly $66.9K per employee. Focused heavily on safety research and enterprise partnerships, Anthropic operates with a $60B valuation and $13.7B in funding, reflecting strong investor confidence despite modest revenue-per-employee figures.
Perplexity AI: Lowest Productivity Among Major Players
Rounding out the list is Perplexity AI, employing 1,600 people and producing $80M—approximately $49.1K per employee.
While it shows the lowest productivity in the ranking, the company remains a significant emerging player in AI search.
The Bigger Picture: AI’s $200B Year
Across the industry, AI companies produced more than $200B in revenue last year, despite major players employing an average of just 1,500 people. This signals a profound shift in how value is created: small, highly specialized teams augmented by automated systems can scale at levels previously achievable only by massive enterprise workforces.
As the TRG Datacenters spokesperson notes,
“The efficiency keeps climbing as the tools get better, and top AI companies can scale to billions in revenue without increasing their headcount the same way.”
With projections placing the AI industry at $1.8 trillion by 2030, the productivity numbers from this study may be an early preview of a radically leaner future for technology companies worldwide.
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