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Google Hires Key Windsurf Executives in $2.4 Billion Deal to Boost AI Coding Efforts

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Alphabet’s Google has secured several leading staff members from AI code-generation startup Windsurf as part of a $2.4 billion licensing deal, the companies announced on Friday. The deal grants Google non-exclusive rights to use some of Windsurf’s technology but does not involve Google taking any ownership stake or controlling interest in the startup.

Windsurf CEO Varun Mohan, co-founder Douglas Chen, and members of the startup’s research and development team will join Google’s DeepMind AI division, focusing on advancing agentic coding projects, particularly the Gemini initiative. This move follows months of Windsurf’s discussions with OpenAI about a potential acquisition valued at around $3 billion.

Google praised the acquisition of top AI coding talent, positioning the deal as a strategic win to accelerate innovation in AI-assisted coding tools. Windsurf investors will gain liquidity through the licensing fees while maintaining their stakes in the company.

This deal is part of a growing trend of “acquihire” arrangements in the tech sector, where major companies hire startup teams without acquiring full ownership, often sidestepping regulatory scrutiny. Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta have all engaged in similar deals in recent years, sparking some antitrust investigations.

Windsurf will continue operating independently with most of its approximately 250 employees remaining, and Jeff Wang stepping in as interim CEO, with Graham Moreno appointed as president. The startup plans to prioritize product innovation for enterprise clients going forward.

Musk’s xAI Eyes $170-$200 Billion Valuation in Upcoming Funding Round, Financial Times Reports

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Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI is reportedly preparing to raise additional capital in a funding round that could value the firm between $170 billion and $200 billion, according to the Financial Times, citing sources close to the discussions. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is expected to play a significant role in the round, holding an indirect stake in xAI through its investment in Kingdom Holdings Company, which has put $800 million into the AI startup.

The discussions are still preliminary, and details may evolve, the report noted. Musk himself responded on X, stating that xAI is not currently seeking funding and has sufficient capital. PIF did not immediately comment on the report.

Previously, in June, Morgan Stanley disclosed that xAI completed a $5 billion debt raise along with a separate $5 billion strategic equity investment. The company is aggressively expanding its AI infrastructure with new data centers amid increasing competition in the sector.

xAI acquired X (formerly Twitter) in March, valuing the AI firm at $80 billion and X at $33 billion. Musk founded xAI in July 2023 to compete with OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which recently announced plans to raise up to $40 billion at a $300 billion valuation.

According to projections shared by Morgan Stanley, xAI expects to generate over $13 billion in annual earnings by 2029 and anticipates $1 billion in gross revenue by the end of this year. The company also plans to invest $18 billion in data center expansion going forward.

OpenAI set to launch AI-powered browser to rival Google Chrome

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OpenAI is reportedly preparing to release a new AI-powered web browser in the coming weeks that aims to challenge Google Chrome’s dominance, according to sources familiar with the matter. The browser will leverage artificial intelligence to transform the way users interact with the web, potentially offering a more integrated experience that keeps some browsing activities within a ChatGPT-style chat interface rather than directing users to external websites.

This move marks a strategic push by OpenAI to gain direct access to user data—an essential asset for competing with Google, whose Chrome browser is a critical component of Alphabet’s advertising business, generating nearly 75% of its revenue. By controlling browsing data, OpenAI could directly rival Google in targeted advertising and user engagement.

With over 500 million weekly active ChatGPT users, OpenAI’s browser has the potential to significantly disrupt Google’s advertising ecosystem. The browser will be built on Chromium, the open-source codebase behind Chrome and other browsers like Microsoft Edge and Opera, allowing OpenAI to control data collection and integration more effectively.

The new browser is also designed to integrate OpenAI’s AI agent tools, such as Operator, enabling automated actions on behalf of users, including booking reservations or filling forms within websites—enhancing convenience and utility.

OpenAI’s founder Sam Altman, who has driven the company’s rapid innovation since ChatGPT’s launch in 2022, is betting on this browser as part of a broader strategy to embed AI deeper into daily personal and work life.

Competition is fierce: Google Chrome currently commands over two-thirds of the global browser market with more than 3 billion users, while Apple’s Safari holds a distant second place with 16%. Other AI-driven browsers like Comet by Perplexity, The Browser Company, and Brave have already launched AI-enhanced browsing experiences.

The Department of Justice’s ongoing antitrust actions against Google—following a ruling that Alphabet holds a monopoly in online search—highlight the regulatory challenges facing the search and browser giant. OpenAI has even expressed interest in acquiring Chrome if forced divestiture occurs.

Unlike merely creating a plug-in for existing browsers, OpenAI’s decision to build its own browser aims to maximize control over user data, a crucial factor for AI’s effectiveness and business value.

OpenAI declined to comment on the launch details.