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OpenAI’s Windsurf deal is off, and Windsurf’s CEO is going to Google

(www.theverge.com)
766 points rcchen | 1 comments | 11 Jul 25 21:35 UTC | HN request time: 0.261s | source
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metadat ◴[11 Jul 25 21:58 UTC] No.44537176[source]▶
It's another Character.ai situation [0]. Unfortunate for any employees who aren't founders or researchers, as they don't get any payout or a nice new job from this exit structure. In fact they lose their whole time invested at the company.

What a harsh time to work for an AI startup as a rank and file employee! I wonder how the founders justify going along with it inside their mind.

[0] Character.ai CEO Noam Shazeer Returns to Google https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41141112 - 11 months ago (87 comments)

Edit: Thank you @jonny_eh for the clarification. I can't imagine it feels awesome being a leftover but at least you vested out. "Take the money and leave" is still a bit raw when the founders and researchers are now getting the initial payout + generous Google RSU's.

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cavisne ◴[12 Jul 25 02:52 UTC] No.44538906[source]▶
Just like with Character I'm assuming the employees get something. Whatever nonsense "licensing" fee Google is paying to not cause an antitrust investigation should be paid out straight to employees
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1. ipnon ◴[12 Jul 25 08:29 UTC] No.44540310[source]▶
The general character of capital markets is to pay as little as possible. Otherwise you lose out to those who are more ruthless. It is plausible that Windsurf employees really are getting very little value for their work. We need to see details of the deal.