In 2025, Google experienced a significant shift in its workforce as at least 11 key executives and researchers departed for rival companies, primarily Microsoft. This exodus included notable figures from both Google DeepMind and Google Cloud, signaling intensified competition in the AI and cloud sectors.
The departures reflect ongoing challenges in attracting and retaining top talent in the tech industry. Google, a leading player in AI development with its Gemini project, faced fierce competition not just from Microsoft but also from other tech giants. While Apple mainly lost AI talent to Meta, Google’s significant losses were predominantly to Microsoft, underscoring a shift in the industry dynamics.
Among the notable departures, Amar Subramanya left his role as vice president of engineering at Google to become the corporate vice president of AI at Microsoft. Having spent over 15 years at Google, his move marks a noteworthy shift in leadership within the AI landscape. Similarly, Adam Sadovsky, after nearly 18 years at Google, transitioned to Microsoft as a corporate vice president of its AI division.
Key Figures Departing Google
The list of executives who made the leap includes several influential engineers and managers. Sonal Gupta, formerly a principal engineer at Google DeepMind, joined Microsoft’s AI team as technical staff. Steve Regini, who held the position of head of global customers engineering, is now the senior vice president at SentinelOne, a cybersecurity firm.
In addition to engineering talent, Google lost several key management figures. Albert Lee, a senior director of corporate development for Google Cloud, was instrumental in major acquisitions, including the $32 billion purchase of cloud security startup Wiz earlier in the year. He left in December to serve as vice president of corporate development at OpenAI.
Another significant departure is Tim Frank, who was responsible for product management at Google. He joined Microsoft to lead AI monetization efforts. Sunil Potti, after more than five years managing Google Cloud’s security business, transitioned to a venture capital firm focusing on cybersecurity.
A Competitive Landscape
The competitive landscape for AI talent is heating up as companies like Microsoft aggressively recruit from their rivals. This trend has been accentuated since Mustafa Suleyman, a cofounder of DeepMind, departed Google in 2024 to lead Microsoft’s consumer AI initiatives. Suleyman’s move, along with a subsequent $650 million acqui-hire of his team, has intensified the rivalry between Google DeepMind and Microsoft’s AI division.
The implications of these departures are significant for Google as it continues to navigate the evolving tech ecosystem. Despite these losses, the company has also made substantial hires from other tech firms, indicating ongoing efforts to bolster its workforce.
As the competition for AI talent intensifies, the tech industry remains in a state of flux, with companies vying for the best minds to drive innovation and development. The shift in personnel from Google to Microsoft highlights the ongoing challenges and opportunities within the rapidly changing landscape of artificial intelligence.
