OpenAI reportedly hired former Google executive Albert Lee as its VP of corporate development, as AI companies continue to poach each other’s top talent.

Reuters reported Lee is starting his new role today (16 December), reporting to finance chief Sarah Friar.

The news agency cited comments from OpenAI explaining the move to bring Lee “on board is to ensure we have a senior leader with broad visibility across the company who is empowered to move quickly”.

Lee had an almost 15-year stint at Google, most recently as its senior director of corporate development for Google Cloud and Google DeepMind.

On his LinkedIn profile, Lee states he worked on more than 60 transactions during his career at Google, including strategic investments totalling more than $50 billion. He was involved in work for the company’s $32 billion deal to buy Israeli cybersecurity company Wiz in March.

Top AI companies OpenAI, Microsoft, Meta Platforms and Google have engaged in an AI hiring spree this year, which has including attracting employees from each other.