Microsoft has significantly bolstered its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities by recruiting over 20 specialists from Google's DeepMind research lab in recent months. This strategic move underscores Microsoft's commitment to leading the AI industry, particularly in consumer applications.
Among the notable hires is Amar Subramanya, the former head of engineering for Google's Gemini chatbot, who now serves as Microsoft's Corporate Vice President of AI. Other key additions include Sonal Gupta, Adam Sadovsky, Tim Frank, Dominic King, and Christopher Kelly, all of whom bring extensive experience from their tenure at DeepMind.
This influx of talent aligns with the leadership of Mustafa Suleyman, a co-founder of DeepMind who joined Microsoft in March 2024 as Executive Vice President and CEO of Microsoft AI. Suleyman's appointment marked a significant shift, as he brought along several members from his AI startup, Inflection AI, further strengthening Microsoft's AI division.
Under Suleyman's guidance, Microsoft's consumer AI division oversees products such as Copilot, Bing, and Edge. The recent hires are expected to contribute significantly to these platforms, enhancing their AI-driven functionalities and user experiences.
However, this aggressive talent acquisition has attracted regulatory scrutiny. The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) initiated a review to assess whether Microsoft's hiring practices, particularly concerning Inflection AI and DeepMind employees, could potentially reduce market competition. Microsoft has maintained that its recruitment strategies promote industry advancement rather than limit it.
In a related development, the CMA cleared Microsoft's partnership with Inflection AI in September 2024, determining that the collaboration did not pose a substantial threat to competition within the UK's AI market.
These developments highlight the intensifying competition among tech giants to secure top AI talent and the accompanying regulatory challenges. As Microsoft continues to expand its AI workforce, the industry will closely monitor the impact of these moves on innovation, market dynamics, and regulatory landscapes.
Source: Digital Watch Observatory DeepMind engineers join Microsoft’s AI team | Digital Watch Observatory
