Google Is Paying AI Researchers to Sit Idle for a Year to Block Rivals
To retain AI talent, Google DeepMind is paying top researchers in the UK to stay home under strict noncompete agreements.
Matilda
Google Is Paying AI Researchers to Sit Idle for a Year to Block Rivals
Talent wars in AI are becoming more ruthless than ever. I’ve recently uncovered a startling strategy that Google’s DeepMind is allegedly using to retain its best minds: paying them not to work—literally. Image:Google Why Google Is Paying AI Talent to Do Nothing According to a Business Insider report, Google’s DeepMind has implemented aggressive noncompete agreements for some of its U.K.-based AI researchers. These contracts prevent them from jumping ship to rivals like OpenAI or Microsoft for up to a year. What’s more, these individuals are being paid throughout their forced downtime. For many, this sounds like a dream vacation—but the reality is far more complicated. The Human Toll of Forced Downtime Being sidelined for a year in the fast-paced AI space can feel like career stagnation. Business Insider mentioned that some researchers feel isolated from the rapid progress of the industry. It's a strange paradox—being compensated generously but still feeling left behind. DeepMind may b…
