Google DeepMind is losing its grip on elite AI talent, new data shows

New data shows that Google DeepMind's share of research and advanced-engineering hires across Europe, the Middle East and Africa fell from 49% in 2022–23 to 18.6% in 2025–26. The company is reportedly struggling against rivals like OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, and Microsoft AI Superintelligence, partly because its focus on commercializing Gemini has drawn criticism that it has moved away from open-ended science.