Why is his departure significant?

Because he is a top AI talent, and Google paid $2.7 billion to bring him back less than two years ago.

How did Alphabet stock react?

The stock showed little reaction, indicating investor confidence.

Where is Shazeer going?

He is moving to OpenAI, Google's main AI competitor.

Google AI Leader Noam Shazeer Departs for OpenAI

Noam Shazeer, co-leader of Google's Gemini AI models, announced his departure to OpenAI. The move comes less than two years after Alphabet paid $2.7 billion to bring him back. Alphabet stock showed little reaction.

June 18, 2026

2 min read

Source: Barrons.com

Key Numbers

buyback cost

2.7 billion

Noam Shazeer, one of the world's leading artificial-intelligence researchers, is leaving Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) (GOOG) for OpenAI. Shazeer, who co-led the development of Google's Gemini AI models, announced his departure in a social media post Wednesday night.

Background

Shazeer is a veteran AI researcher who previously left Google in 2021 to found a startup. In 2024, Alphabet paid $2.7 billion to bring him back, underscoring his value in the AI talent war.

Reasons for Change

Shazeer did not specify reasons for leaving but expressed excitement about joining OpenAI. The move highlights the intense competition for top AI talent among tech giants.

Impact on Company

Shazeer's departure is a blow to Alphabet's AI talent pool, especially after the hefty investment to rehire him. However, the stock remained stable, suggesting investor confidence in Alphabet's ability to manage the loss.

Market Reaction

Alphabet stock (GOOGL) showed no significant movement following the announcement, indicating market resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Noam Shazeer is a prominent AI researcher who co-led the development of Google's Gemini models.

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This article was rewritten in Wrqti's editorial style based on information from the original source above. Content is informational only — not investment advice.