We Use AI to Understand Human Ability and Match Talent with the Opportunities They’re Best Suited For: Brendan Foody, CEO of Mercor

Mercor is a San Francisco company that uses artificial intelligence to match highly skilled experts with firms that need help with advanced technology projects. The company grew out of a simple observation that rapidly expanding AI and software development cycles often leave companies scrambling for people who understand specialized coding, data work, content review and domain specific problem solving. Mercor built a marketplace designed to make that search faster using a system that can understand skills, evaluate background information and connect people with the right projects more efficiently than traditional hiring.

The founders started Mercor in early 2023 and set out to modernize the way companies access human expertise. They believed that a digital marketplace powered by algorithms could process far more signals than resumes or basic screenings, and that this could help firms find specialists who match their requirements with greater accuracy and speed. The concept took off quickly as businesses across the United States and internationally began to search for talent to build, monitor and refine emerging AI systems. Mercor responded by growing a global network of professionals who are ready to work on assignments in engineering, research, content analysis, legal review, healthcare annotation and creative fields.

The marketplace model appeals to companies that want fast access to people who can start working on projects without long staffing delays. Many firms rely on Mercor to expand capacity during busy periods or to fill expertise gaps for projects that require deep technical skill. The company structures its platform to reduce friction for both sides by improving matching quality, which in turn lowers mismatches and shortens timelines.

How Mercor Finds the Best Fit for Each Project

Mercor uses artificial intelligence to analyze portfolios, public work samples, professional backgrounds and skill assessments. Companies that submit a project description are matched with individuals who have the closest alignment to the task at hand, and the platform uses ranking models to propose people who can deliver strong results. This creates a workflow in which firms skip long resume piles and instead see candidates who have already been evaluated through structured digital screens.

The experience for projects begins with a detailed description of the work, followed by automated scanning of Mercor’s global network. The platform identifies individuals whose experience matches the assignment and presents them through profiles that highlight relevant skills and previous achievements. Companies then review the shortlist and select people for quick interviews or direct onboarding.

The platform benefits experts as well. Many specialists work remotely from cities and towns around the world and would not have access to high tier AI projects without a digital bridge. Mercor allows them to showcase skills through assessments and examples rather than relying solely on formal credentials or regionally recognized institutions. That opens doors for many people who would otherwise face barriers due to geography or limited visibility in traditional hiring systems.

The workflow helps both sides achieve alignment earlier. With evaluations handled through structured digital processes, companies spend less time on preliminary screening and more time identifying who fits the work environment and project expectations. The global nature of the network creates a broader pool of talent, which is particularly valuable for firms building cutting edge AI products that require expertise found in scattered regions and varied industries.

Why Firms See Mercor as a Catalyst for Faster Innovation

Many technology companies look for ways to speed up execution as new AI products, data pipelines and user facing tools require rapid experimentation. Mercor delivers a flexible layer of human expertise that allows companies to add skilled contributors as needed without large staffing commitments. Projects that benefit from this model include model evaluation, data annotation, prompt analysis, code reviews, research summaries, content guideline development and regulated industry reviews.

Experts who join Mercor gain access to assignments that match their strengths and can work with firms that might otherwise be out of reach. This helps create a merit-oriented environment where skill and experience matter more than location or networking advantages. The result is a more fluid exchange of talent across borders.

The service also appeals to businesses outside traditional tech. Healthcare firms, financial service providers, creative studios, legal research groups and education companies have adopted AI tools that require human supervision or specialized domain input. Mercor enables these organizations to navigate their digital transformation timelines with greater speed because they can bring in experts for specific functions without extending permanent structures.

Companies rely on Mercor because traditional hiring can take months and consume substantial resources. Recruiting for specialized tasks is especially challenging when demand fluctuates or when the required skill set is rare. Mercor addresses this through a digital system that reads thousands of profiles quickly and uses structured assessments to narrow the field. This lets businesses respond to project demands more effectively while keeping commitments flexible.

How Mercor Connects Specialists with High Tech Workflows

The rise of generative AI and complex machine learning pipelines has created an environment where firms must secure talent with deep knowledge of data, logic, testing, safety, compliance, content review, computational problem solving and domain expertise. Mercor’s marketplace helps companies meet these needs by assembling professionals with varied backgrounds who can contribute meaningfully to the development of sophisticated tools.

This shift is not only about filling roles. It reflects a broader change in how work is organized worldwide. Many firms no longer see talent as tied to location or long-term employment structures. Instead, they view expertise as something that can be accessed on demand. Mercor acts as the connector between these needs and the individuals who can meet them.

The company’s technology automates much of the discovery and evaluation process. Rather than relying on job boards or traditional networking, firms can submit an assignment and receive a curated list of candidates who match the technical requirements. That alignment improves the probability of successful project outcomes because companies start with people who demonstrate proven skill.

Professionals benefit because they can pursue assignments that challenge them or present opportunities in rising sectors like AI safety, generative model tuning and digital content workflows. They can also choose projects based on availability, interest or skill development goals. This freedom broadens participation in high growth industries and helps diversify the global talent landscape.

What Comes Next for Mercor

Mercor continues to grow as more organizations adopt AI enabled workflows and face complex human centered tasks that require precise review or specialized thinking. The company plans to expand its network of professionals and refine its matching systems so they can interpret a broader range of skills with greater nuance. This includes further development of semantic ranking models, enhanced verification processes and structured learning tools that help experts showcase growth areas.

Future growth will likely involve expanding into more industries where AI transformation is underway. Companies in healthcare, logistics, public policy, finance, entertainment, and education already face rising workloads that require specialized human oversight to guide AI tools. Mercor is positioned to serve those needs by providing access to experts who understand local regulations, cultural context, industry workflows or technical constraints.

Mercor may also invest in tools that help individuals build stronger portfolios, including automated skill evaluations, training pathways and performance tracking. This could strengthen the marketplace by ensuring that candidates undergo continuous learning and development.

Companies expect faster cycles as AI products evolve quickly, and Mercor is shaping a labor model that can respond to these shifts. The intersection of human judgment and machine-driven workflows is becoming a defining element of the future of work. Mercor has created a marketplace that meets this moment by giving firms a reliable route to skilled expertise while offering professionals a path into global digital industries.

As demand for specialized knowledge rises across sectors, Mercor stands as a significant player in shaping how talent, technology and opportunity connect.

Brendan Foody, Co-Founder & CEO, Mercor

Companies rely on Mercor because traditional hiring can take months and consume substantial resources. Recruiting for specialized tasks is especially challenging when demand fluctuates or when the required skill set is rare.