Honest question: how is this "AI-adjacent"? How does it specifically "simplify the practical application of AI models"? Focus of the question being on "AI"...
Beauty of cash is that you can do whatever you want with it. For example, buy Netflix shares. Or buy Alphabet shares. Maybe Apple.
That way you can both benefit from upside and somewhat protect from downside of your own employer's shares tanking all the while you're getting laid off (as you're suggesting).
Not to mention perfectly valid non-speculative buyers.
Scenario for you: international student completed UBC and started working full-time on local tech company. After struggle to save, put a deposit on a place after saving from working part-time during later years of degree and about to close deal in a couple weeks (when new place is ready). Now, BAM! Gotta have to pony up 15% on home price agreed upon nearly a year earlier. More than original deposit! Tell me how that encourages qualified tech workers to stick around...
They aimed at a particular kind of "foreign buyers" in a crowd, but used a shotgun...