AI
Barret Zoph moves to Google as VP of Research after brief returns to OpenAI and Thinking Machines
The AI executive has cycled through three companies in less than a year, landing at Google to lead research on its Gemini platform.
TechCrunch — AI
Barret Zoph, an AI researcher with a winding career path through Silicon Valley's most prominent labs, has joined Google as vice president of research. The move marks his latest position after a series of rapid transitions across OpenAI, Thinking Machines, and now Google — a company where he has worked before.
The Executive Shuffle#
Zoph's journey through the AI industry over the past year reads like a case study in tech sector volatility. In late 2024, he departed OpenAI after a two-year stint to co-found Thinking Machines alongside Mira Murati, who had recently exited the same lab. That venture proved short-lived: by January 2026, Zoph and co-founder Luke Metz returned to OpenAI, citing the company's potential in enterprise sales and research.
His second stint at OpenAI lasted just five months. Assigned to lead AI enterprise sales, Zoph moved on in June, this time landing at Google to focus on developing the company's Gemini platform.
Why Google Now#
According to a statement from Google, the company expects Zoph to bring his expertise in reinforcement learning and post-training techniques to the Gemini team. This specialization aligns with areas Google is prioritizing as it competes with other major players in generative AI.
The Broader Pattern#
Zoph's carousel of moves mirrors a larger phenomenon gripping the AI sector. Turnover among senior executives has become endemic, particularly at OpenAI, which despite preparing for a public offering and wielding enormous influence in tech has shed key talent in recent months. Recent departures include the company's longtime COO and prominent data center leadership, fueling questions about retention and internal dynamics at the organization.
