Archive — US — techcrunch
AI researchers continue to leave Google for its rivals
AI researchers Jonas Adler and Alexander Pritzel are leaving Google for Anthropic, following Noam Shazeer's departure to OpenAI. This trend is concerning for Google as top talent shifts to rivals amid escalating competition in the AI field, coinciding with OpenAI and Anthropic's preparations for public offerings, which may attract more talent.
Key points
- Jonas Adler and Alexander Pritzel, key figures in Google's Gemini model, are joining Anthropic.
- Noam Shazeer, a veteran researcher, left Google for OpenAI, having previously contributed to Gemini.
- John Jumper, director at DeepMind and Nobel laureate, is also leaving Google for Anthropic.
- These departures indicate a concerning trend of talent exodus from Google to competitors in the AI sector.
- OpenAI and Anthropic's upcoming public offerings are likely to further attract top AI talent.
Why it matters
- The trend reflects ongoing shifts in the AI industry, exemplifying the competitive landscape as companies vie for top researchers.
- The 2025 IT trends indicate a stronger emphasis on equity compensation, making it an attractive time for talent migration.
- The AI sector is seeing increased public interest and investment, further intensifying competition among leading firms.
The departure of key AI researchers from Google to competitors like Anthropic and OpenAI underscores a significant talent shift in the industry, likely fueled by competitive prospects and upcoming IPOs.