OpenAI Lures Away Trio of Ace Engineers from DeepMind’s Talent Nest

“OpenAI Poaches 3 Top Engineers From DeepMind”

“OpenAI has hired several high-profile AI researchers from the Swiss office of DeepMind, part of Alphabet. The talent raid is a sign of intensifying competition between the leading AI research labs,” from the divinely informative source, WIRED.

Isn’t it sweet when powerhouse tech firms start raiding each other’s toy box for shiny new talents? Well, OpenAI just nabbed a few bright bulbs from DeepMind’s Swiss office. Yes, the very same DeepMind that happens to be a subsidiary of Alphabet. Understandably, this has kicked up a fair bit of dust in the AI research lab playground.

This game of musical chairs, or rather, musical scientists, happens more frequently than onlookers might think. Notice how the big boys AI research labs, like OpenAI, DeepMind and Alphabet, are constantly prowling for the next big genius to help them outwit each other? Every significant hire is a proverbial checkmate in their ongoing battle of wits. So now, OpenAI has made its move. And oh boy, what a move it is!

The freshly transferred researchers include Raia Hadsell and her team. Ms. Hadsell is no newbie in the field of robotics, as she spent a significant amount of time leading research into teaching machines to master sophisticated tasks without any human assistance. Talk about an autonomous dream!

Now Hadsell and her team are bringing that talent to OpenAI – an outfit that’s been instrumental in some mind-boggling AI breakthroughs, the kind that probably have Mr. Orwell spinning in his grave. Formal introductions aside, the question on everyone’s mind is – will OpenAI pull it off? Will it make a substantial dent in the tech universe with this strategic acquisition?

While this can be seen as OpenAI potentially gearing up for some groundbreaking work, it’s also a reminder of the shark-infested waters of AI research. It demonstrates the fierce competitiveness where top AI labs are going tooth and nail to lead in the AI race. To sum it up, it appears as if the participants of this highly intellectual game of thrones don’t play nice in the sandbox.

Regardless of the speculative chitchat, it’s clear that the AI landscape is heating up. With OpenAI’s new additions, we wonder whose sandcastle will rise and whose will crumble under the pressure? The world watches on, popcorn in hand, as the saga of AI talent shuffle continues in the realm of tech biggies. Isn’t tech drama just the best?

Read the original article here: https://www.wired.com/story/openai-hires-deepmind-zurich/