Microsoft Hires Top AI Talent from Google DeepMind for Zurich Lab

Overview

• Microsoft has hired Marco Tagliasacchi, Zalán Borsos, and Matthias Minderer, three former Google DeepMind researchers, for its new AI lab in Zurich.
• Tagliasacchi and Borsos were instrumental in developing 'Audio Overviews,' an AI tool that converts text into natural-sounding podcasts, as part of Google's NotebookLM project.
• Minderer, a computer vision expert, will focus on enhancing AI's ability to analyze images and video, contributing to Microsoft's broader AI initiatives.
• The hires are part of Mustafa Suleyman's strategy to integrate advanced AI agents into Microsoft's Copilot and expand its consumer AI capabilities.
• Suleyman, who co-founded DeepMind and joined Microsoft in 2024, has previously recruited other former DeepMind leaders to bolster Microsoft's AI efforts.