Thinking Machines Lab Co-Founder Barret Zoph Joins Google DeepMind as VP of Research in Homecoming Move

Barret Zoph, co-founder of $12 billion AI startup Thinking Machines Lab, is returning to Google DeepMind as Vice President of Research after a brief stint back at OpenAI, marking a significant hire in the intensifying AI talent war.

Barret Zoph, a co-founder of the high-profile artificial intelligence startup Thinking Machines Lab, is joining Google DeepMind as Vice President of Research, according to announcements made on Wednesday. The move marks a return to Google for the prominent AI researcher after a period of rapid movement between leading AI companies.

A Homecoming and a Strategic Hire

Zoph is no stranger to Google. He spent six years as a research scientist at Google Brain, which later merged with DeepMind to form Google DeepMind in 2023. His return comes at a pivotal moment for Google's AI operations, as the company undergoes a significant reorganization of its research unit, including CEO Demis Hassabis stepping aside this month. A Google spokesperson said: "We look forward to Barret returning to Google and bringing his expertise in reinforcement learning and post-training to Gemini."

A Career across AI's Leading Labs

Zoph's career path reflects the dynamic nature of the AI industry. He left Google for OpenAI, where he became Vice President of Research. In 2024, he departed to co-found Thinking Machines Lab alongside former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, a startup that quickly reached a valuation of $12 billion and positioned itself around developing more capable and customisable AI systems. He left Thinking Machines earlier this year and made a brief return to OpenAI before now joining Google DeepMind.

The AI Talent War

The hire is the latest in a series of high-profile talent acquisitions in the competitive AI sector, as companies vie for top researchers to lead their development of frontier models. Zoph's expertise spans both research and product development, including his work on reinforcement learning, model training, and leading a push to sell AI products to businesses at OpenAI. His appointment adds to Google's efforts to bring senior AI talent back to its research organization.

Here is the question this hire raises. Barret Zoph's return to Google DeepMind as Vice President of Research marks the latest move in a high-stakes game of musical chairs among top AI talent. When a researcher with leadership experience at Google, OpenAI, and a $12 billion startup chooses to return to a former employer, does it signal a strategic shift for Google, or simply another chapter in the intense competition for the best minds in artificial intelligence?

FAQ:

Q: Who is Barret Zoph and what is his new role at Google?
A: Barret Zoph is a co-founder of AI startup Thinking Machines Lab and former Vice President of Research at OpenAI. He has joined Google DeepMind as Vice President of Research.

Q: What is Barret Zoph's previous experience at Google?
A: Zoph spent six years as a research scientist at Google Brain, which later merged with DeepMind to become Google DeepMind in 2023.

Q: Why did Barret Zoph leave Thinking Machines Lab?
A: Zoph left Thinking Machines Lab earlier this year after a reported dispute with CEO Mira Murati. He briefly returned to OpenAI before joining Google.

Q: What is Thinking Machines Lab?
A: Thinking Machines Lab is an AI startup founded by former OpenAI researchers, including ex-CTO Mira Murati, valued at $12 billion.

Q: What expertise does Barret Zoph bring to Google DeepMind?
A: Zoph brings expertise in reinforcement learning, model training, post-training, and product development from his time at Google Brain and OpenAI.