Google hires Windsurf CEO and researchers to advance AI ambitions; OpenAI acquisition falls apart

Google has hired Windsurf CEO Varun Mohan, co-founder Douglas Chen, and select members of the coding tool’s research and development team to join its DeepMind division, a Google spokesperson said on Friday, in a move to strengthen itself in the race for AI leadership.

Mohan and the Windsurf team will focus on agentic coding initiatives at Google DeepMind, primarily working on the Gemini project.

The development comes as tech giants including Alphabet and Meta Platforms aggressively chase high-profile acquisitions and offer multi-million-dollar pay…