Microsoft has significantly ramped up its AI talent acquisitions, bringing on 24 engineers and researchers from Google DeepMind over the past six months. This major hiring push aims to accelerate developments in Microsoft’s AI products like Copilot and Bing Search.
🔍 What’s Going On?
Microsoft’s aggressive recruiting coincides with the arrival of Amar Subramanya, former head of engineering for Google’s Gemini chatbot, now taking a pivotal role as Corporate Vice President of AI at Microsoft AI. He emphasized the company’s “low ego yet bursting with ambition” culture in a LinkedIn announcement
🧠 Who Else Moved Over?
Other key DeepMind alumni now at Microsoft include:
- Sonal Gupta – former DeepMind engineering lead
- Adam Sadovsky – ex-senior director and software engineer at DeepMind
- Tim Frank – product management specialist
These lateral moves reflect a broader trend of elite AI talent shifting between major players in the industry
🌐 Why It Matters
- Strategic Talent Infusion: Microsoft AI is being strengthened under Mustafa Suleyman, DeepMind co-founder and now EVP & CEO of Microsoft AI
- AI Product Acceleration: The fresh hires are expected to fast-track innovation in Copilot, Bing, and other consumer AI services.
- Talent War Heating Up: With Meta offering huge signing bonuses and OpenAI and Google also in play, the battle for AI experts has intensified
- Cultural Shift: High-caliber departures suggest that “startup-like” ambition, leadership, and growth opportunities matter just as much as compensation
🧭 Industry-Wide Implications
- DeepMind’s Resilience: Google maintains that its attrition remains “below industry average” and that it continues recruiting from competitors
- Elite Compensation Surge: Reported AI engineer compensation now routinely reaches $10–$20 million annually
- Market Realignment: Microsoft’s growing AI workforce evidences how top-tier talent is reshaping innovation leadership across Big Tech.
