SAN FRANCISCO, 20 May 2026 – Google DeepMind has reportedly reached an agreement to hire more than 20 researchers from Contextual AI and license the startup’s technology for about US$100 million, extending Big Tech’s use of licensing-and-talent deals to strengthen artificial intelligence capabilities without pursuing a full acquisition.
The deal will see Contextual AI co-founder and chief executive officer Douwe Kiela join Google DeepMind, according to Bloomberg News as cited by Reuters. The arrangement gives Google access to specialised AI talent and technology while allowing Contextual AI to avoid a conventional takeover structure.
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