Google DeepMind's Controversial Tactics to Retain AI Talent Spark Industry Debate

Google is allegedly paying some AI staff to do nothing for a year rather than join rivals | TechCrunch

Retaining top AI talent is tough amid cutthroat competition between Google, OpenAI, and other heavyweights. Google's AI division, DeepMind, has resorted to using "aggressive" noncompete agreements for some AI staff in the U.K. that bar them from working for competitors for up to a year, Business Insider reports. Some are paid during this time, in what amounts to a lengthy stretch of PTO. But the practice can make researchers feel left out of the quick pace of AI progress, reported BI. In the U.S., the FTC banned most noncompetes last year, but that doesn't apply to DeepMind's London headquarters. Last month, the VP of AI at Microsoft posted on X about how DeepMind staff are reaching out to him "in despair" over the challenge of escaping their noncompete clauses: Google didn't respond to a request for comment from TechCrunch, but told BI it uses noncompetes "selectively."

Google accused of paying employees to do nothing for up to a year to stifle AI talent migration

Aggressive noncompete clauses and extended notice periods cause 'despair' among employees. Google is making use of aggressive noncompete clauses and extended notice periods, contends former GoogDeepMinder Nando de Freitas in a recent post on X. In some cases, Google DeepMind's employment contracts may lock an AI developer into doing nothing for as long as a year, notes Business Insider, to prevent its AI talent from moving to competing firms. That's a long time away from working on the cutting edge in the rapidly developing world of AI. De Freitas says the best way to avoid such contractual chains is to simply "don't sign these contracts." However, folks with a pressing need for a steady income flow who get offered a well-paying position might easily be swayed into signing terms they would normally turn their nose up at. We know that the FTC banned noncompletes in states like California last year, but Google's DeepMind is UK-based, so the company probably still has some latitude to push would-be employees to sign such agreements. So, it is clear that Google is happier to pay AI talent for up to a year to do nothing than let them pass into the hands of rivals. De Freitas can perhaps speak more freely than some DeepMinders, as he has already comfortably migrated to Microsoft, where he is a VP of AI. As one that got away, de Freitas indicates that current DeepMind employees frequently contact him. "Every week one of you reaches out to me in despair to ask me how to escape your notice periods and noncompetes," he says in his social media post. While de Freitas certainly sympathizes with those AI devs who find themselves in limbo, he advises them not to contact him, suggesting a couple of other names who are current leads at the Google-owned AI firm. Ultimately, though, perhaps the best advice is not to sign a contract with undesirable extended notice periods and noncompetes. The competition for experienced AI staff is such that people should be able to avoid such contracts, which de Freitas describes as an "abuse of power." Google responds BI received a statement from Google about the employee contract issues raised above. "Our employment contracts are in line with market standards," a Google spokesperson told the publication. "Given the sensitive nature of our work, we use noncompetes selectively to protect our legitimate interests."

Former DeepMind director slams noncompete clauses that sideline AI talent for up to a year

In a nutshell: Google's DeepMind is employing strict noncompete clauses and extended notice periods to limit its U.K.-based AI talent from joining competitors, a tactic that underscores the fierce competition for skilled professionals in the field. The measures have drawn criticism from former employees and industry insiders who argue they stifle innovation and limit career mobility in the rapidly evolving AI sector. Nando de Freitas, a former DeepMind director now serving as Vice President of AI at Microsoft, recently took to social media platform X to voice his concerns. He alleged that Google DeepMind's employment contracts can effectively sideline AI developers for up to a year, preventing them from joining competitors. "Every week one of you reaches out to me in despair to ask me how to escape your notice periods and noncompetes," de Freitas wrote, addressing current DeepMind employees. He urged workers to avoid signing such agreements, calling them an "abuse of power." De Freitas's remarks highlight the challenges faced by AI professionals navigating restrictive contracts during a period of unprecedented growth in the field. While U.S. states like California have banned noncompete clauses, these agreements remain enforceable in the United Kingdom, where DeepMind is headquartered. Under UK law, noncompetes are deemed valid if they are considered reasonable to protect an employer's legitimate business interests. According to former DeepMind employees who spoke anonymously with Business Insider, the company tailors the length of noncompete clauses based on an employee's seniority and role. Individual contributors working on high-profile projects like Google's Gemini AI models often face six-month restrictions, while senior researchers may be bound by yearlong agreements. During this period, some employees are placed on "garden leave," receiving full pay but barred from working elsewhere. Google defends its use of noncompetes as standard practice. "Our employment contracts are in line with market standards," a spokesperson told Business Insider. "Given the sensitive nature of our work, we use noncompetes selectively to protect our legitimate interests." However, critics argue that these clauses are increasingly out of step with the fast-paced nature of AI development. "Who wants to sign you for starting in a year? That's forever in AI," said one former DeepMind employee. The impact of these clauses on careers is so significant that some DeepMind employees have contemplated relocating to jurisdictions like California, where such agreements are unenforceable. Others lament missed opportunities at startups unwilling to wait months for new hires to become available. De Freitas's public critique underscores the broader tension within the tech industry as companies vie for top-tier talent. He urged discontented employees to raise their concerns with DeepMind leaders such as CTO Koray Kavukcuoglu and senior research director Douglas Eck, whom he described as sympathetic to their plight. Ultimately, he stressed that workers should scrutinize contracts before signing away their freedom to move between employers. The controversy surrounding noncompetes reflects a shifting dynamic in the tech industry. In previous decades, even those working on high-value systems could more easily transition between roles without facing such barriers. Now, as AI becomes a cornerstone of global innovation, companies are adopting measures more commonly associated with hedge funds - another fiercely competitive sector known for aggressive contractual terms. For many in the field, the stakes could not be higher. "AI is interesting," remarked one former Google employee. "It seems to be the first time in my career that you have this insane race, like a space race. People really feel like being six months ahead or a year ahead could make all the difference."

Google's AI staff being paid to sit idle rather than defect to OpenAI

With the AI race gathering steam, retaining top AI talent has become crucial for tech heavyweights in the US. Google's AI division, DeepMind, has allegedly devised a strategy to ensure their top AI employers don't leave their ranks for competitors. As reported by Business Insider, DeepMind is handing out noncompete agreements to their employees to block them from switching to rival tech companies in their UK offices to maintain their moat in the AI race. The length of these noncompetes depends on various factors, such as the team member's seniority, the level of importance their work commands, etc.

Google Is Allegedly Paying Top AI Researchers to Just Sit Around and Not Work for the Competition

Google apparently has one weird trick to hoard its talent from poachers: paying them to not work. As Business Insider reports, some United Kingdom-based employees at Google's DeepMind AI lab are paid to do nothing for six months -- or, in fewer cases, up to a year -- after they quit their jobs. Known as "garden leave," this type of cushy clause is the luckier stepsister to so-called "noncompete" agreements, which prohibit employees and contractors from working with a competitor for a designated period of time after they depart an employer. Ostensibly meant to prevent aggressive poaching, these sorts of clauses also bar outgoing employees from working with competitors. Often deployed in tandem with noncompetes, garden leave agreements are more prevalent in the UK than across the pond in the United States, where according to the Horton Group law firm, such clauses are generally reserved for "highly-paid executives." Though it seems like a pretty good gig -- or lack thereof -- if you can get it, employees at DeepMind's London HQ told BI that garden leave and noncompetes stymie their ability to lock down meaningful work after they leave the lab. While noncompetes are increasingly a nonstarter in the United States amid growing legislative pushes to make them unenforceable, they're perfectly legal and quite commonplace in the UK so long as a company explicitly states the business interests they're protecting. Like DeepMind's generous garden leave period, noncompete clauses typically last between six months and a year -- but instead of getting paid to garden, per the former's logic, ex-employees just can't work for competitors for that length of time without risking backlash from Google's army of lawyers. Because noncompetes are often signed alongside non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), we don't know exactly what DeepMind considers a "competitor" -- but whatever its contracts stipulate, it's clearly bothersome enough to get its former staffers to speak out. "Who wants to sign you for starting in a year?" one ex-DeepMind-er told BI. "That's forever in AI." In an X post from the end of March, Nando de Freitas, a London-based former DeepMind director who now works at Microsoft offered a brash piece of advice: that people should not sign noncompetes at all. "Above all don't sign these contracts," de Freitas wrote. "No American corporation should have that much power, especially in Europe. It's abuse of power, which does not justify any end." It's not a bad bit of counsel, to be sure -- but as with any other company, it's easy to imagine DeepMind simply choosing not to hire experts if they refuse to sign.

Google DeepMind Staff Get Year-Long Paid Break so They Can't Join Rivals: Reports

Some employees have considered relocating to the US to avoid the contractual restrictions. Google DeepMind is enforcing noncompete agreements that prevent some UK-based employees from joining rival companies for up to a year after leaving the organisation, Business Insider reported. The report mentioned that, according to multiple former employees, these agreements have become a point of contention, especially as the competition for AI talent intensifies globally. The restrictions vary, depending on employees' roles and seniority levels. While six-month noncompetes are common for individual contributors, some senior researchers have been subject to agreements lasting as long as 12 months. In certain cases, employees have been placed on extended garden leave, where they continue receiving pay but are no longer actively working at DeepMind. A Google spokesperson reportedly said that the company's contracts are "in line with market standards" and that noncompetes are used selectively to safeguard the company's business interests. However, some former DeepMind employees argue that the restrictions limit their ability to pursue new opportunities, especially as other AI firms expand their operations and seek to attract talent. One former employee described the one-year waiting period as "forever in AI", referring to the pace at which the field evolves. The topic gained public attention last week when Nando de Freitas, a vice president at Microsoft AI and former DeepMind director, addressed the issue in a post on X. He claimed that DeepMind employees frequently seek advice on how to exit their contracts. Freitas encouraged staff not to sign such agreements, and named senior DeepMind leaders he believes oppose the policy. In the UK, noncompete clauses are enforceable if considered reasonable and necessary to protect a company's interests. In contrast, US states like California -- home to many large tech firms -- do not recognise such agreements, even if signed elsewhere. New legislation passed in 2023 further extended California's noncompete ban. Some employees have considered relocating to the US to avoid the contractual restrictions. Others have expressed concern that the clauses could cause them to miss out on roles at fast-moving startups that may not wait several months to bring on new hires. Observers note that noncompetes in AI resemble those seen in the financial sector, where firms have long used similar tactics to retain key talent. As investment in generative AI continues and competition grows, these legal provisions are becoming a central issue in the ongoing race for technical expertise.

Why Google is paying AI talent to do nothing

Google is reportedly paying some AI staff to do nothing for up to a year to prevent them from joining rival firms. DeepMind, Google's AI division, is using what Business Insider calls "aggressive" noncompete agreements in the U.K. to retain talent amid intense competition with companies like OpenAI. These agreements bar some AI staff from working for competitors for as long as a year, according to the Business Insider report. Employees are paid during this period, effectively receiving an extended paid leave. Though legal, the practice can leave researchers feeling detached from advancements in AI, BI notes. The FTC banned most noncompetes in the U.S. last year, but this ban does not affect DeepMind's London operations. Microsoft's VP of AI posted on X last month, stating that DeepMind employees are contacting him "in despair" about escaping their noncompete clauses:

Is Google paying top techies to sit idle? Inside the secret strategy to win the AI race

Google is reportedly paying top AI talent to sit idle, preventing them from joining competitors. This strategy, revealed in a recent investigation, involves extended "garden leave" with full pay, effectively locking down expertise. Critics argue these noncompete agreements stifle innovation, while Google defends them as necessary to protect its interests in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.In the ruthless world of Artificial Intelligence, where weeks can make or break a company's lead, Google seems to have discovered an unlikely weapon -- paying top minds to do absolutely nothing. Yes, you read that right. In a startling turn of events, the tech behemoth is offering select employees full paychecks while placing them on extended leave -- not to work, not to innovate, but simply to ensure they don't jump ship to a competitor. This bizarre but strategic move was revealed in a recent Business Insider investigation, shedding light on Google's aggressive tactics to stay ahead in the AI race, which some are now calling the modern-day equivalent of the space race. According to the report, Google has been hiring AI specialists -- particularly from its own division DeepMind -- only to bind them in contracts that prevent them from joining rival firms for up to a year. These contracts, known as noncompete agreements, aren't just legal speed bumps; they're roadblocks designed to stall innovation outside Google's walls. Insiders reveal that these agreements are more than just paperwork. Some employees, particularly in the UK, are being placed on what's known as "garden leave" -- a corporate limbo where they remain on the payroll but are forbidden from contributing any work, either to Google or anyone else. Their sole purpose? Stay put, and stay silent. "Every week one of you reaches out to me in despair to ask me how to escape your notice periods and noncompetes," lamented Nando de Freitas, Microsoft's AI VP and former DeepMind director, on social media. "Don't sign these contracts. No American corporation should have that much power, especially in Europe. It's abuse of power." Why would Google throw money at idle minds? The answer lies in the breakneck speed at which AI is evolving. With the success of models like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's own Gemini, time isn't just money -- it's dominance. Even a six-month delay in innovation could render a product obsolete in this hyper-competitive environment. By locking down talent -- even if it means letting them twiddle their thumbs -- Google effectively cuts off the oxygen supply to rival firms hungry for experienced researchers. It's not about productivity today; it's about stifling tomorrow's competition. As one former DeepMind researcher put it, "AI is interesting. It seems to be the first time in my career that you have this insane race, like a space race. People really feel like to be six months ahead, a year ahead, could make all the difference." But not everyone is buying into the golden handcuffs. Some former employees claim the lengthy noncompetes are stunting their careers. "Who wants to sign you for starting in a year?" said one disgruntled ex-Google staffer. "That's forever in AI." The frustration is particularly acute in Europe, where such contracts are increasingly being viewed as anti-competitive and potentially unlawful. Critics argue that these agreements hurt innovation, trap talent, and create a chilling effect across the industry. Google, however, maintains it's playing by the rules. "Our employment contracts are in line with market standards," the company said in a statement to Business Insider. "Given the sensitive nature of our work, we use noncompetes selectively to protect our legitimate interests." What does this mean for the future of tech employment? Are we witnessing a tactical masterstroke or corporate paranoia taken too far? In an era where AI could reshape everything from healthcare to warfare, the stakes have never been higher. But as the world marvels at the progress of machines, the people behind them are quietly being sidelined -- not by incompetence, but by design. Whether this is the cost of winning the AI war or a cautionary tale of corporate control, one thing is clear: in Google's race to build the future, some of its brightest minds are being paid to pause -- perhaps so others can't press play.

Why are scores of Google AI employees seeking help from rival Microsoft?

DeepMind employees are reportedly seeking advice from Microsoft's AI VP, Nando de Freitas, on escaping restrictive noncompete agreements. These agreements, common in the UK, prevent them from joining rival companies like Microsoft, hindering their career growth in the rapidly evolving AI field. Some are even considering Microsoft jobs as a means to break free from these contracts.In the fast-paced world of AI, where every week brings groundbreaking development, Google's DeepMind employees are in a bit of a bind. While tech giants like Meta and OpenAI are launching futuristic projects, some Google researchers have found themselves stuck in a time warp -- thanks to noncompete agreements that are preventing them from jumping ship to rival companies. And guess who they're calling for help? Yes, Microsoft. It seems that employees at Google's DeepMind are reaching out to none other than Nando de Freitas, Microsoft's AI VP and former DeepMind exec, asking for advice on how to break free from these restrictive contracts. Speaking out on X, de Freitas shared that these employees are "desperate" to find a way out, with many hoping that taking a new job at a competitor like Microsoft could be the golden ticket to career growth. "Dear @GoogDeepMind ers...Every week one of you reaches out to me in despair to ask me how to escape your notice periods and noncompetes," he wrote. According to the Microsoft leader, some are even hoping to land a job at Microsoft just to escape the career limbo they're in. "Also asking me for a job because your manager has explained this is the way to get promoted, but I digress," he added in the series of posts slamming the noncompete agreements. "Please don't reach out to me. Rather reach out to each other. Your leads are responsible for this. Talk to them." Here's the twist: these noncompete agreements -- especially common in the UK, where DeepMind is based -- can trap talented employees for months or even a year after they leave Google. While California, where Google is headquartered, doesn't play by these rules, the UK allows noncompetes, provided they're deemed fair. "And it is the Californian corporations enforcing it here. They should know better. These are the same corporations that lure AI researchers by saying they believe in equal opportunity and want AI to benefit all of humanity. So sad really," he further said. But in a world where AI advances at warp speed, sitting on the sidelines for half a year feels like a century and can be career suicide. AI moves so fast that a six-month hiatus can mean missing out on the next big thing. While DeepMind justifies these contracts as necessary to protect sensitive projects, as it told Business Insider, many in the AI community are feeling frustrated. The industry's rapid pace means that even a short break from the action can feel like a career-killer. "The executives allowing this to happen should be fired in favour of ones with more optimistic strategies: people who believe in dreams, hard work and innovation instead of hiding behind, lobbying and promoting bureaucracy in foreign countries or other states," de Freitas further said, attacking the Google AI arm's corporation. As tech giants like Microsoft continue to grow their AI teams and new startups crop up everywhere, Google employees are looking for a way to catch up -- and Microsoft seems to be their best shot.

Google Is Reportedly Paying Its AI Staff A Whole Year's Income For Doing Absolutely Nothing Instead Of Letting The Workforce Jump Ship To The Competition

Companies like Google often employ non-compete clauses in their contracts for as long as a year to prevent their employees from switching their careers to a competitor. However, the Mountain View behemoth throws in a massive sweetener because of the heated rivalry in the AI space, with a new report claiming that based on several factors, the workforce hailing from DeepMind can make as much as a whole year's salary while doing nothing. If this perk does not make you question your current choices, we do not know what will. Information provided by former Google staff has been reported by Business Insider, with these individuals preferring to stay anonymous. Turns out that even after employees quit, the advertising giant's hunger for staying ahead of the artificial intelligence pack is so high that it is willing to forego an entire year's worth of funds just so these individuals do not head over to the competition. Of course, as you would have guessed, obtaining a 12-month pay depends on a ton of things, such as seniority and how critical the work was. Two former Google DeepMind employees who contributed to the company's Gemini AI models, stated that a 6-month non-compete is considered regular practice. A company spokesperson highlighted that these contracts are 'in line with market standards' and given the sensitive nature being done in this division, these non-competes serve to protect the firm's 'legitimate interests.' Another ex-DeepMind employee said they were aware of colleagues who contemplated leaving the U.K. for jobs in California just to get out of the non-compete, stating that it was an 'abuse of power.' Even if the workforce no longer under Google's employment continues to receive their non-compete bonuses, the problem arises when there are existing opportunities that these people miss out on. For instance, AI startups are not willing to wait for six months to a year for the non-compete clause to end, so a ton of individuals end up missing out on what could be potentially lucrative career paths. One former Google employee mentioned that non-competes are prevalent in the generative AI boom because even a six-month gap means the company spearheading one artificial intelligence model will gain a solid lead against another competitor, signifying how insanely brutal this industry has transformed into.

Getting paid to do nothing? Google says yes, but... - Softonic

In the escalating race for artificial intelligence dominance, Google is deploying every possible strategy to retain top talent, even if that means paying engineers not to work -- for anyone else. While that might sound like a dream deal, the implications reveal a deeper tension in today's tech landscape. At the heart of this issue are non-compete agreements binding Google's AI engineers, particularly those at DeepMind in the UK. These contracts can prevent them from joining rivals for up to 12 months, all while still being paid by Google. The goal? Keep critical expertise out of competitors' hands during a period of explosive growth in AI development. While non-compete clauses are illegal in places like California, where Google is headquartered, they're enforceable in the UK, and Google is using that legal leverage. According to Business Insider, some DeepMind engineers are left in limbo, unable to move forward with new opportunities in a field where a year of inactivity can mean falling dangerously behind. The intensity of these restrictions varies. Senior engineers face the longest and most restrictive terms, while independent collaborators often deal with shorter six-month limits. Regardless of length, the effect is the same: delaying critical talent from joining the competition at a time when companies like Microsoft and Meta are aggressively hiring. Former DeepMind director and current Microsoft AI VP Nando de Freitas highlighted the growing discontent, claiming that engineers regularly seek help to escape these contracts. So while being paid not to work might sound like a luxury, in the AI world, it could cost engineers their next big opportunity.

Google is actually paying some of its employees for doing nothing, here is why

It is done mainly to prevent sensitive company projects from leaking to competitors like OpenAI or Microsoft. If reports are to be believed, Google is paying some of its AI researchers to just do nothing. Sounds fun, right? But there's a whole big reason behind this and no it's not a new perk. This is happening as a result of some strict non-compete agreements that have been enforced by Google DeepMind, the company's advanced AI research arm. As per a Business Insider report, several former DeepMind employees are stuck in limbo: they've left the company but are legally barred from joining any rival firm for up to a year. During this period, they're still receiving full pay from Google, even though they can't work anywhere else. Well, these non-compete clauses are added to the contracts of the employees to protect the company's interests. It is done mainly to prevent sensitive company projects from leaking to competitors like OpenAI or Microsoft. While it might seem important for the company, it is also raising some serious concerns about fairness and employee freedom, especially in a field like AI that evolves at lightning speed. Nando de Freitas, a former DeepMind executive and now VP at Microsoft AI, recently posted about the issue on X (formerly Twitter). "Above all, don't sign these contracts," he warned, calling them an "abuse of power." He added that many stuck researchers have reached out to him, desperate to find a way around the restrictions. DeepMind is based out of the UK, and the practice has become most controversial over there. Unlike California, where non-compete agreements are illegal, UK law allows them if they are considered "reasonable." DeepMind says it only enforces such contracts when absolutely necessary to protect critical work. Those against this culture argue that keeping talent on the sidelines, despite the fact that they are getting paid, hurts innovation. It also kills the opportunities for the employees and negatively impacts their careers.