Google Reacquires AI Innovator Noam Shazeer for $2.7 Billion

The tech giant's deal with Character.AI includes licensing its technology and reuniting with its founder to lead new AI initiatives.

Noam Shazeer, who left Google in 2021, returns as part of a $2.7 billion licensing deal with his startup Character.AI.
Character.AI allows users to interact with AI versions of celebrities and fictional characters, attracting a primarily young audience.
Google's acquisition is seen as a strategic move to bolster its AI capabilities, particularly in competition with OpenAI's ChatGPT.
The deal includes licensing Character.AI's technology and integrating Shazeer and key team members into Google's AI unit, DeepMind.
The transaction reflects the escalating competition and high stakes in the AI talent market, with tech giants spending heavily to secure top talent.