Google has confirmed a blockbuster deal worth $2.4 billion, licensing AI coding tech from Windsurf and bringing aboard CEO Varun Mohan, co-founder Douglas Chen, and key R&D staff to Google DeepMind . Rather than acquiring the whole company, Google secured a non-exclusive license and hired the top talent, allowing Windsurf to stay independent while benefitting from a major cash infusion .
This move strengthens Google’s position in the competitive AI landscape, especially in the growing field of agentic coding and its flagship Gemini model . By stealing talent away from both OpenAI and other rivals, Google deepens its AI bench—setting it up to deliver more advanced, smart coding tools built around powerful human–AI collaboration.
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