Updates
Notable moves, new people, and organizations. A curated record, not every change in AI.
Organization route
Jean-Stanislas Denain joins METR from Epoch AI
After two years at Epoch AI, Denain joins METR to assess how much AI is accelerating AI research and development.
Epoch AI→
METRDouglas Eck promoted to VP of Research at Google DeepMind
Eck now leads Google DeepMind’s Media & Entertainment effort, following his role as Senior Research Director.
Google DeepMindSören Mindermann to join Tsinghua University
The AI safety researcher will start an assistant professorship in November while continuing his Cambridge role.
Tsinghua UniversityArwen Bradley joins Goodfire
The generative-model researcher joins Goodfire after a brief stint at Mirendil and earlier work at Apple.
Mirendil→
GoodfireBob McGrew launches Arda to bring AI to manufacturing
The former OpenAI research chief unveiled manufacturing software already deployed at Anduril, alongside a $160 million Series A.
Arda IndustriesOpenAI acquires Orchestra Bio
Orchestra Bio’s team and drug-development coordination platform are joining OpenAI’s Rosalind life-sciences effort.
Orchestra Bio→
OpenAIMatthew Barnett joins Google from Mechanize
The Mechanize co-founder joined Google as a Senior Staff Software Engineer in August 2026.
Mechanize→
GoogleAleksander Madry returns to OpenAI
Madry is returning to work with Jakub Pachocki on the safety and security challenges of increasingly capable AI.
OpenAIKathryn Tunyasuvunakool joins Isomorphic Labs
The AlphaFold researcher joined Isomorphic Labs as Principal Research Scientist in October 2026, following her work at Google DeepMind.
Google DeepMind→
Isomorphic LabsJacob Tsimerman commits full-time to MAISI, will not join OpenAI as an employee
Tsimerman will serve as MAISI’s founding Scientific Director and continue collaborating with OpenAI.
Mathematical AI Safety Institute