Indian-origin founder seeks interns in Bengaluru for AI firm. Has to work 12 hours, Rs 1 lakh stipend

A LinkedIn advertisement posted by the San Francisco-based co-founder of an artificial intelligence start-up drew widespread criticism after it outlined an internship in Bengaluru that required candidates to work 12-hour shifts. The role, which the founder said needed to be filled immediately, offered a monthly stipend of Rs 1 lakh along with a series of additional benefits, but the stated working hours prompted objections across platforms.

In the recruitment note, the co-founder said the company was “Tier-1 VC-backed, already live with Fortune 500 customers, and growing fast”. He wrote that the opening was suitable for someone wishing “to build with real users, solve deep technical challenges, and shape the future of how enterprises run”. The details specified that the internship was an on-site position in Bengaluru, with interns expected to work from 11am to 11pm, six days a week.

The founder said the selected intern would receive a meal allowance or food subscription, access to a gym or a hobby-related subscription, and the chance to work directly with the founding team on building new products from the outset.

The eligibility requirements stated that applicants should be high achievers, demonstrate a “can-do” approach, take responsibility for their work, and be “hungry” to establish themselves.