Microsoft AI Vice President Nando de Freitas publicly acknowledged Google DeepMind 's latest AI models while simultaneously rebuffing employee requests for help escaping restrictive employment contracts, according to a tweet posted Wednesday.
"First, congrats on the new impressive models," wrote de Freitas, a former DeepMind director who now serves as a Microsoft executive. He then revealed that DeepMind employees regularly contact him "in despair" seeking assistance with notice periods and noncompete agreements .
De Freitas urged DeepMind staff to stop reaching out to him personally for employment opportunities. "Please don't reach out to me. Rather reach out to each other," he stated in the social media post.
Microsoft VP of AI says Google DeepMind leads are responsible for employees despair, says the company is abusing its power
The Microsoft VP directed frustrated employees to discuss their concerns with leadership within Google DeepMind instead, specifically mentioning CTO Koray Kavukcuoglu and Senior Research Director Douglas Eck. "Your leads are responsible for this. Talk to them," de Freitas wrote, adding that both executives "have said they're against it."
His message comes amid an increasingly competitive talent war in artificial intelligence, with restrictive noncompetes reportedly lasting up to 12 months for some DeepMind employees.
De Freitas took a strong stance against such employment restrictions, advising current employees: "Above all don't sign these contracts." He characterized the practice as an "abuse of power" by an American corporation, particularly in European contexts.
His statement highlights growing tensions in the AI industry as companies like Microsoft and Google aggressively compete for top talent while implementing measures to prevent knowledge transfer to competitors.
Google DeepMind has not publicly responded to de Freitas' comments about their employment practices yet.
"First, congrats on the new impressive models," wrote de Freitas, a former DeepMind director who now serves as a Microsoft executive. He then revealed that DeepMind employees regularly contact him "in despair" seeking assistance with notice periods and noncompete agreements .
De Freitas urged DeepMind staff to stop reaching out to him personally for employment opportunities. "Please don't reach out to me. Rather reach out to each other," he stated in the social media post.
Dear @GoogDeepMind ers, First, congrats on the new impressive models.
— Nando de Freitas (@NandoDF) March 26, 2025
Every week one of you reaches out to me in despair to ask me how to escape your notice periods and noncompetes. Also asking me for a job because your manager has explained this is the way to get promoted, but…
Microsoft VP of AI says Google DeepMind leads are responsible for employees despair, says the company is abusing its power
The Microsoft VP directed frustrated employees to discuss their concerns with leadership within Google DeepMind instead, specifically mentioning CTO Koray Kavukcuoglu and Senior Research Director Douglas Eck. "Your leads are responsible for this. Talk to them," de Freitas wrote, adding that both executives "have said they're against it."
His message comes amid an increasingly competitive talent war in artificial intelligence, with restrictive noncompetes reportedly lasting up to 12 months for some DeepMind employees.
De Freitas took a strong stance against such employment restrictions, advising current employees: "Above all don't sign these contracts." He characterized the practice as an "abuse of power" by an American corporation, particularly in European contexts.
His statement highlights growing tensions in the AI industry as companies like Microsoft and Google aggressively compete for top talent while implementing measures to prevent knowledge transfer to competitors.
Google DeepMind has not publicly responded to de Freitas' comments about their employment practices yet.
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