Google's DeepMind accused of paying AI staff to do nothing - as long as they don't work elsewhere

In a nutshell: Google's DeepMind is enforcing strict noncompete clauses and extended notice periods to limit its U.K.-based AI talent from joining competitors, a tactic that underscores the fierce competition for skilled professionals in the field. The measures have drawn criticism from former employees and industry insiders who argue they stifle innovation and limit career mobility in the rapidly evolving AI sector. Nando de Freitas, a former DeepMind director now serving as Vice President of AI at Microsoft, recently took to social media platform X to voice his concerns. He alleged that Google DeepMind's employment contracts can effectively sideline AI developers for up to a year, preventing them from joining competitors. "Every week one of you reaches out to me in despair to ask me how to escape your notice periods and noncompetes," de Freitas wrote, addressing current DeepMind employees. He urged workers to avoid signing such agreements, calling them an "abuse of power." Dear @Go ... Read full article.