Google Hires Staff From AI Startup Contextual In Licensing Deal

Google DeepMind has reached a deal to hire more than 20 researchers from artificial intelligence startup Contextual AI and license its technology, according to people familiar with the matter.

The Alphabet Inc.-owned research lab has agreed to pay roughly $100 million to Contextual as part of the arrangement, said the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity as the information is not public. Among those joining DeepMind is Douwe Kiela, Contextual’s co-founder and chief executive officer, the people said.

The move, which has not previously been reported, marks the latest example of large tech firms turning to unusual licensing ...