If you are a hiring manager for top-tier ML experts, why would you be trying to inflate market value with outrageous claims?

I guarantee you that my comments here will not influence the market rate for top-tier ML experts.

I feel so small.

Just to be clear, "tens" as in multiples of 10 million (i.e 20+ million)?

Depends how close to the "top" you are, but yes. 20-30 million/4 years is not unheard of for the very top -- comparable to an acquisition.

Yes, but what is the salary. Tens of millions of stock could end up being worth $0.

At early stage startups, not at public companies like Tesla

Ah, good point.

With yearly refresh?

No idea how you are getting downvotes, this is accurate.

If I fail at startup life, this is an obvious next step in my career.

Your obvious next career step is to be a top-tier ML expert?