<ul><li>Google is paying select employees full paychecks while placing them on extended leave to prevent them from joining rival firms.</li><li>These employees are bound by noncompete agreements, preventing them from contributing any work during garden leave.</li><li>Some see this as a strategic move to stifle competition and stay ahead in the evolving field of AI.</li><li>Critics argue that these agreements hinder innovation and trap talent, particularly in Europe where they are viewed as anti-competitive.</li></ul>

Is Google paying top techies to sit idle? Inside the secret strategy to win the AI race

Discover more