In a stunning reversal, Google DeepMind acquires Windsurf’s top talent just weeks after OpenAI’s $3B deal collapsed over IP tensions with Microsoft.

As of Friday, Windsurf’s head of business, Jeff Wang, will take over as the startup’s interim CEO, he announced in a post on social media. Most of Windsurf’s 250 person team is not headed to Google DeepMind and will continue offering its AI coding tools for enterprise customers.

Google has hired Windsurf CEO Varun Mohan, co-founder Douglas Chen, and key team members, following a $2.4B tech licensing deal. The move boosts Google's AI coding push as Meta and OpenAI race for top AI talent.