To stop top talent from jumping ship, Google’s DeepMind is reportedly paying some AI researchers in the UK to stay home for up to a year, just so they don’t join rival firms.
According to Business Insider, these paid noncompete agreements have been called “aggressive” and are only used in certain cases.
While some see it as a well-paid break, others say it feels like being cut off from fast-moving progress in the AI world.
Unlike the U.S., where most noncompetes were banned last year, DeepMind’s London team can still be held to these contracts.
When a noncompete feels like house arrest
The topic gained attention after Microsoft’s VP of AI shared that DeepMind staff have been reaching out to him “in despair,” hoping to get around their restrictions.
Here’s the short version:
DeepMind is paying some UK staff not to work elsewhere for up to a year
Researchers say it leaves them sidelined in a fast-paced industry
U.S. bans on noncompetes don’t apply to DeepMind’s UK operations
Google didn’t comment publicly, according to TedCrunch, but told BI that these clauses are used selectively.
Noncompetes? More like non-compete-and-sulk.