The rapid evolution of AI has sparked not just a technological arms race, but also an intense battle for top-tier talent—and Google’s DeepMind is now under fire for how it's choosing to protect its edge.
According to a Business Insider report, DeepMind has been enforcing noncompete agreements that bar ex-employees from joining rival firms—sometimes for as long as a year. What’s unusual is that these AI professionals are being paid by Google not to work anywhere else during this time. And this practice is drawing heavy criticism, especially as the AI industry is evolving at breakneck speed.
What’s a Noncompete and Why Is It a Big Deal?
A noncompete agreement is a contract that prevents an employee from working for a competitor for a set period after leaving their current employer. These contracts are:
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Illegal in California (which hosts many tech giants).
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Allowed in the UK, where DeepMind is headquartered, as long as they’re considered "reasonable."
While such clauses are typically used to protect trade secrets or prevent poaching, critics argue that in a field like AI, where knowledge becomes outdated quickly, a 6- to 12-month enforced “pause” is damaging to careers and innovation.
A Microsoft VP Speaks Out
Nando de Freitas, a former DeepMind executive and now VP at Microsoft AI, brought the issue into the spotlight via a post on X on March 26, 2025. He claimed that former DeepMind colleagues often reach out in frustration, looking for ways to escape these restrictive agreements. He wrote:
“Above all, don’t sign these contracts. No American corporation should have that much power, especially in Europe. It’s abuse of power, which does not justify any end.”
His post has sparked wider debate about how companies are trying to lock down talent at the cost of employee freedom.
The Core Issue: Time Is Everything in AI
AI moves so fast that six months can feel like six years. With competitors like OpenAI, Meta, Microsoft, and countless startups launching new models, tools, and frameworks every few weeks, even a short pause could sideline a researcher’s relevance.
“Who wants to sign you for starting in a year? That’s forever in AI,” said a former DeepMind employee to Business Insider.
DeepMind’s Response
In its defense, DeepMind claims it uses these noncompetes sparingly and only when necessary to protect sensitive research. But critics believe the broader impact is chilling:
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Restricts employee mobility
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Slows down innovation
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Tilts power heavily in favor of large corporations
Summary
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Google DeepMind is paying some employees to do nothing—literally—due to noncompete clauses.
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These clauses can last up to a year, during which employees can't work for rivals.
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The issue was highlighted by Microsoft AI VP Nando de Freitas, who called it an abuse of power.
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Critics say it's harmful in AI, where even short delays can ruin career momentum.
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DeepMind defends the practice as a means to safeguard sensitive research, but many feel it’s overreach.
