OpenAI’s Windsurf deal is off, and Windsurf’s CEO is going to Google • Hacker News Board

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

#21

Post by metadat » Fri, Jul 11, 2025, 9:58 PM UTC

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.

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

#22

Post by wagwang » Fri, Jul 11, 2025, 9:58 PM UTC

tamersalama wrote: post #15

wagwang wrote: post #10

All of this game of thrones is going to create an amazing documentary if AI capabilities taper off and valuations vaporize.

Are the AI capabilities tapering-off, or commoditized? Building the next Windsurf (iteration 0) doesn't feel it's quite niche anymore.

I think the current valuations imply at least 2 magnitudes of improvement over existing functionality.

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

#23

Post by sampton » Fri, Jul 11, 2025, 9:59 PM UTC

Zuck swoops in and hire them 100mm a piece.

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

#24

Post by baal80spam » Fri, Jul 11, 2025, 9:59 PM UTC

I really think that Apple is smart to sideline this shitshow.

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

#25

Post by metadat » Fri, Jul 11, 2025, 10:00 PM UTC

https://archive.today/urwCT

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

#26

Post by Kinrany » Fri, Jul 11, 2025, 10:00 PM UTC

Ancalagon wrote: post #3

So Google, Meta, and Microsoft will just hollow out the best AI startups of their talent instead of buying them - out of fear of monopoly lawsuits I'm assuming? Nice plan I guess. Kind of obvious to spot though.

It's been working with software developers with no issues.

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

#27

Post by ChrisArchitect » Fri, Jul 11, 2025, 10:01 PM UTC

What is the source Verge? Give us a link more than "Google and Windsurf announced Friday"

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

#28

Post by BobbyJo » Fri, Jul 11, 2025, 10:01 PM UTC

parpfish wrote: post #12

m_a_g wrote: post #5

Looks like Sama can’t catch a break.

I only learned this week that “sama” is “Sam Altman” and not the first name of some other ai startup ceo

It's his hackernews username.

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

#29

Post by bix6 » Fri, Jul 11, 2025, 10:03 PM UTC

Ancalagon wrote: post #3

So Google, Meta, and Microsoft will just hollow out the best AI startups of their talent instead of buying them - out of fear of monopoly lawsuits I'm assuming? Nice plan I guess. Kind of obvious to spot though.

Can shareholders sue? I presume the only avenue is IP since that belongs to the company? Or the non-exclusive license somehow negates that? Brutal.

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

#30

Post by asdev » Fri, Jul 11, 2025, 10:03 PM UTC

I never knew anyone who used Windsurf. These AI acquisitions have been unbelievable(in a bad way). WIX acquired some garbage Lovable.dev clone for 80 million. I think many of us are waiting for this bubble to pop(economy will likely pop too)