Barret zoph returns to Google to lead Gemini research

Barret Zoph, a former researcher at Google, has rejoined the company as Vice President of Research, joining the Gemini team. His return comes after a brief stint at OpenAI, where he was involved in the development of ChatGPT and led post-training and foundational model productization. Zoph previously left Google in 2022 to join OpenAI, following a disagreement with Miriam Mularati, CEO of Thinking Machines Lab. His career path reflects the fluid movement of AI talent, as he moved between major tech companies and startups. In 2024, Zoph became CTO of Thinking Machines Lab, a role he held until leaving to join OpenAI in January 2026. This move coincided with the departure of Luke Metz and Sam Altman, co-founders of Thinking Machines Lab, who also joined OpenAI. A Google spokesperson expressed enthusiasm for Zoph's return, citing his expertise in reinforcement learning and post-training, which aligns with Gemini's current needs during its sprint phase. The company's interest in Zoph's experience highlights the competitive landscape for top talent in large model development, where researchers' affiliations play a crucial role.