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Google just dealt a massive blow to its AI competitor OpenAI by poaching key talent from the rapidly rising Windsurf startup, effectively killing off a reported $3 billion acquisition deal. In a bold move, Google announced on July 11 that it would be paying $2.4 billion to hire away top Windsurf employees, including its CEO, and take a non-exclusive license to the company’s technology.
This surprise twist has sent shockwaves throughout the tech community as the implications are far-reaching. For OpenAI, this setback could not have come at a worse time. The company behind ChatGPT is still reeling from an intense talent war that has seen Meta poach key researchers and engineers.
Google’s acqui-hire deal with Windsurf marks a significant turning point in the ongoing battle for AI supremacy. It represents a new playbook, one where tech giants can buy the brains of startups without acquiring their companies. This tactic allows Google to gain access to valuable AI technology while avoiding regulatory scrutiny.
This trend, known as an “acqui-hire,” is not unique to Google and OpenAI. In recent months, Meta has also engaged in similar tactics by poaching top talent from AI startups such as ScaleAI, Apple’s AI mind Ruoming Pang, and Nat Friedman, former CEO of Microsoft-owned GitHub.
Source: gizmodo.com
