Google CEO Sundar Pichai has addressed recent concerns that rivals like Microsoft, Meta, and newer AI labs are recruiting talent away from DeepMind with lucrative offers. During Alphabet’s second-quarter results call, Pichai acknowledged that while some high-profile departures do happen, Google’s overall employee retention remains strong and incoming AI researcher numbers are healthy.
Pichai highlighted that compensation is only one part of what keeps researchers engaged. He emphasized that access to top-tier computing infrastructure, the chance to work on cutting-edge projects, and the company’s mission also matter a lot. He reaffirmed that Google is investing heavily in its compute capabilities and reducing friction for DeepMind employees to thrive in innovation.
Despite the competition, Pichai expressed confidence that the company is navigating the “talent war” well, pointing out that visibility of a few headline moves shouldn’t overshadow broader trends of strong internal metrics in hiring and retention.
