The bigger math is significance_of_contribution = $size_ai_grant_program/$size_ai_vc_program (or maybe $size_ai_grant_program - $size_ai_vc_program)
[ 0 https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-72428-3_... ]
"We’ll support a small group of open source developers through grant funding (not an investment or SAFE note), giving them the opportunity to continue their work without the pressure to generate financial returns."
Some of the recipients of financial support have described the nature of the agreement as well.
> a16z didn't ask for any equity or any kind of quid pro quo, other than to let folks know that they provided this grant.
And why would I? A16Z have already explicitly stated their intent: "a thriving open source ecosystem is essential to building [ai's] future" and "We’ll support a small group of open source developers through grant funding (not an investment or SAFE note), giving them the opportunity to continue their work without the pressure to generate financial returns."
There's not a lot of spin on this. They want to be a leader in AI so they're investing in the people who build the tools that they use in pursuit of their commercial goals.