Thinking Machines Co-Founder Barret Zoph Joins Google DeepMind
Synopsis
Thinking Machines Lab co-founder Barret Zoph is joining Google DeepMind as Vice President of Research after stints at OpenAI and Google.
Barret Zoph has joined Google DeepMind as the VP of research after leaving Thinking Machines Lab, where he was a co-founder.
He announced this, saying they have added another executive to Google’s research arm. He was previously employed at Google Brain as a research scientist following six years at OpenAI, where he served as a VP of research.
Google Brain and DeepMind have been combined into Google DeepMind, with the newly created entity set to enter the race with other AI giants. These two organizations were part of Alphabet Inc., which is Google’s parent company.
From Google Brain to Thinking Machines
Barret Zoph, whose LinkedIn profile reveals that he has rejoined Google DeepMind from OpenAI after departing Thinking Machines earlier this year, has joined the organization. They were among the co-founders of Thinking Machines.
Thinking Machines Lab’s $12 billion valuation in a July 2025 funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz left their valuation at approximately $2 billion.
This comes after a wave of private investments in AI research and infrastructure. According to the latest Stanford 2026 AI Index Report, the US private sector investment in AI reached $285.9 billion, which is over 23 times the amount of $12.4 billion in China in 2025.
US leads AI investment as global competition grows
The AI Index also found that there were 1,953 AI startups funded in the US in 2025. According to the report, the US led the way in terms of private investment and AI model development, surpassing other nations by a significant margin, including China, which was second in the sector.
According to the AI Index report, Australia has a lower amount of investment in AI for its businesses compared to the US and China, indicating a smaller market size. Their more extensive conclusion is that AI development is concentrated in a few major economies and is gradually spreading to other countries.
Meanwhile, Alphabet Inc.’s most recent financial statements show that it posted a profit of $119.8 billion in revenue, an increase of 24% compared to the same period last year, and Google Cloud revenue grew by 82% to $24.8 billion.
Additionally, it reported a total capital expenditure of $44.9 billion for the period, illustrating the company’s massive investment in infrastructure to support its AI and cloud operations.
Source: Reuters
Pooja Malik is a business journalist with over six years of experience covering startups, entrepreneurship, and emerging trends. She has previously worked with leading media platforms such as YourStory Media and BW BusinessWorld, where she reported on business, policy, and market developments. Currently, she serves as Editor at The Inspirepreneur Magazine, where she writes and edits stories across business, lifestyle, and travel, with a focus on clarity, accuracy, and reader relevance.
