Google Reportedly Pays AI Staff to Stay Idle Amid Talent War with Rivals
The Battle for AI Talent Intensifies
As competition heats up between tech giants like Google, OpenAI, and Microsoft, retaining top artificial intelligence (AI) talent has become increasingly challenging. Recent reports reveal Google’s unconventional strategy to prevent key employees from joining rivals.
DeepMind’s Controversial Retention Strategy
According to a Business Insider report, Google’s AI division DeepMind has implemented “aggressive” noncompete agreements for some UK-based AI researchers. These contracts reportedly:
- Prohibit employees from working with compe*****s for up to one year
- Include compensation during the noncompete period
- Effectively create extended paid leave (PTO)
While financially beneficial, this practice reportedly leaves some researchers frustrated as they watch the rapid pace of AI innovation from the sidelines.
Employee Frustrations Surface Publicly
The issue gained visibility when Nando de Freitas, Microsoft’s VP of AI, tweeted about DeepMind employees reaching out for help:
“Every week one of you reaches out to me in despair to ask me how to escape your notice periods and noncompetes. Also asking me for a job because your manager has explained this is the way to get promoted…”
— Nando de Freitas (@NandoDF) March 26, 2025
Google’s Selective Approach to Noncompetes
While Google declined to comment to TechCrunch, the company told Business Insider that it uses noncompete agreements “selectively.” This suggests the practice may be reserved for particularly valuable or high-level AI researchers.
The Bigger Picture: AI Talent Wars
This situation highlights:
- The extreme measures companies take to retain AI expertise
- The ethical considerations around restrictive employment contracts
- The personal impact on researchers’ careers and professional growth
As AI continues to transform industries, the competition for skilled professionals shows no signs of slowing down, potentially leading to more unconventional retention strategies across the tech sector.
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