To protect its workforce amid fierce competition for AI talent, Google DeepMind has introduced a non-compete clause for certain UK employees, preventing them from joining rivals like Microsoft or OpenAI up to one year after leaving the company.
During this period, which can result in up to six months or, for senior researchers, a full year of restrictions, employees will receive their full salary, essentially functioning as paid leave, reports multiple outlets, including Business Insider and TechCrunch.
Employees have raised concerns about the practicality of such lengthy restrictions in a fast-moving AI industry, where startups are eager to fill vacancies quickly. Nando de Freitas, a former DeepMind director now at Microsoft, highlighted discontent from DeepMind staff regarding these agreements, labeling them as an overreach by US firms in Europe and urging employees to voice their concerns to DeepMind’s leadership.
While the US Federal Trade Commission aimed to ban non-compete agreements in 2024, such limitations remain enforceable in the UK under certain conditions. Google claims that it uses these clauses only to protect sensitive projects, adhering to industry standards.
The escalating demand for AI skills is evident, with a recruitment fair in Hangzhou noting 21,000 job vacancies, half focused on AI algorithm development. New ventures like Thinking Machines Lab, founded by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, highlight the dynamic nature of the talent movement in Silicon Valley as she recruits several former colleagues from major tech firms.
Startups are enticed to draw top AI talent by offering stock options between US$2 million and US$4 million alongside fundraising events that ensure quick stock liquidations for employees. Many AI professionals now seek not only competitive salaries but also collaborative work environments and the chance to contribute to innovative projects, making startups increasingly attractive in the AI sector.
Article edited by Jack Wu
