11 executives and researchers who left Google in 2025 — mostly for Microsoft (www.businessinsider.com)

In 2025, Google faced significant talent attrition, losing at least 11 key AI and cloud executives primarily to Microsoft. This exodus includes notable figures from Google DeepMind and Google Cloud, highlighting the intensifying competition for AI talent amid a cooling tech job market. Noteworthy departures include veteran leaders like Amar Subramanya and Adam Sadovsky, both of whom transitioned to high-ranking positions within Microsoft's AI division. This trend underscores a strategic shift in the tech landscape, as rivals capitalize on the ongoing AI recruitment war, often led by cofounders from DeepMind who now spearhead Microsoft's consumer AI initiatives. The shift is particularly significant due to the competitive rivalry between Google DeepMind, headed by Demis Hassabis, and Microsoft's AI division, led by Mustafa Suleyman, another DeepMind co-founder. As these technology titans vie for AI supremacy, the loss of talent may impact Google's innovation capabilities, while bolstering Microsoft's AI efforts, including advancements in AI monetization and product development. This realignment of talent not only reflects the evolving dynamics within the AI sector but also signals a crucial period for both companies as they chart their futures in a rapidly advancing field.