Microsoft recruits 24 AI experts from Google to boost Copilot, disregarding DeepMind's stringent non-compete agreements and generous yearlong retirement benefits
In the rapidly evolving world of generative AI, competition among tech giants is heating up. Microsoft, Meta, and OpenAI are at the forefront of this race, each making strategic moves to gain an edge.
Microsoft, under the leadership of former DeepMind co-founder Mustafa Suleyman, is actively poaching top AI talent from Google DeepMind and Meta. The tech giant has reportedly hired over two dozen AI stars from Google DeepMind, including Amar Subramanya, former Google VP of Engineering, and Adam Sadovsky, a longtime Google engineer and director.
This talent acquisition is part of Microsoft’s broader push to enhance its AI offerings. The company is investing heavily in AI infrastructure and recruitment, offering multi-million-dollar packages to outpace competitors in AI innovation and revenue growth.
Microsoft's AI division is focused on developing products like Copilot, a tool that aims to deliver value across its tech stack, including Microsoft 365. However, Copilot has not yet matched the success of OpenAI's ChatGPT, despite Microsoft's exclusive partnership with OpenAI.
Meanwhile, Meta is not standing idle. The company acquired Scale AI for $14.8 billion and hired Alexandr Wang to lead operations in its new AI division. Meta has also offered up to $100 million signing bonuses and one-year compensation to poached OpenAI employees.
OpenAI, under pressure from investors to convert into a for-profit entity, could prematurely declare Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) to sever its ties with Microsoft. This move could intensify the competition further, as OpenAI and Microsoft are currently bound by a multi-billion-dollar partnership that grants Microsoft exclusive access to AI models.
In response to Meta's poaching, OpenAI has taken steps to retain its top talent. The company has compensated its staffers with recalibrated packages and even mandated a week-long vacation for a period of recalibration.
As the AI race continues, it's clear that talent, high-value compensation, and a dynamic work environment are key factors in the success of AI divisions. Both Microsoft and Meta are willing to go the extra mile to secure the best minds in AI, setting the stage for a fierce and exciting competition in the years to come.
Sources:
- TechCrunch
- The Information
- Bloomberg
- VentureBeat
- The Verge
- Microsoft's AI division is not only acquiring top AI talent from competitors, but also investing heavily in developing products like Copilot, which is designed to work seamlessly with Microsoft 365.
- In a bid to stay competitive, Microsoft has partnered with OpenAI, a leading player in the generative AI field, to gain exclusive access to AI models.
- Meanwhile, Meta, in an effort to boost its AI capabilities, has acquired Scale AI and hired Alexandr Wang to lead its AI division, offering significant compensation packages to poached employees to remain competitive.
- OpenAI, under pressure to convert into a for-profit entity, could potentially sever ties with Microsoft, intensifying the competition amongst tech giants in the field of AI.
