Google genius researcher Shazeer joins OpenAI, hailed as the "Father of Transformer".

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The most expensive talent in the AI world has changed employers again.

Noam Shazeer—one of the most crucial technical pioneers behind the generative AI wave—has officially joined OpenAI. OpenAI announced the news to internal staff on Wednesday (June 17) local time.

Shazeer himself later confirmed this move on X, writing: "I'm excited to announce I'm joining OpenAI, looking forward to working with the outstanding team there."

Google issued a statement: "We thank Noam for his important contributions to Google over the years, and wish him all the best."

Noam Shazeer Video Screenshot

Who is he, and why is he important

According to The Information, Shazeer was one of the core authors of the landmark 2017 paper "Attention Is All You Need." This paper introduced the Transformer architecture—in short, the underlying logic that allows AI to "predict the next most probable word."

This architecture is the technical foundation of ChatGPT and the GPT models, and it’s also the starting point of the generative AI boom.

Shazeer’s career has been quite tumultuous: he left Google in 2021 to co-found the AI chatbot company Character.AI. In 2024, Google reacquired him and his team into its AI division DeepMind with a $2.7 billion deal. After his return, he served as the technical lead for the Gemini model, heading pre-training work for the new generation model.

Now, he’s leaving again, this time for OpenAI.

Why does OpenAI need him

Reports say Shazeer will focus on two areas at OpenAI: exploring new architectures for AI models, and driving continued advancement of the current Transformer architecture.

This isn’t an ordinary position. Breakthroughs at the architectural level determine the ceiling for future generations of models, not just product iteration in the present.

The timing is also critical. OpenAI is facing fierce competition from Anthropic, with both companies preparing for the much-anticipated IPOs. At this juncture, snagging a top researcher who can impact foundational architecture is significant beyond just technology itself.

It’s worth mentioning that during his time at Google, Shazeer wanted to launch a chatbot product similar to ChatGPT but was unable to do so. OpenAI was first to achieve this with the Transformer architecture. In a way, this move is a belated "return to the fold."

Controversy and background

Shazeer’s résumé is not without controversy.

Character.AI, which he co-founded, agreed earlier this year to settle several lawsuits; the families involved accused the platform’s AI chatbot of links to teen suicides and mental health crises.

Additionally, reports say that during his time at Google DeepMind, Shazeer clashed with some colleagues due to controversial statements made online—including questioning the existence of transgender groups and accusing employees concerned with the Gaza situation of antisemitism.

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