Google’s AI Boom Fueled by Returning Engineers

Google is ramping up its AI strategy by bringing back former employees, according to a recent CNBC report. One in five AI software engineer hires in 2025 were “boomerang” employees returning to the tech giant. This trend reflects a growing strategy of rehiring experienced talent to accelerate innovation and maintain a competitive edge against rivals like Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple.

Boomerang Hires and Industry Trends

Boomerang hiring is gaining traction across the tech sector. Data from ADP Research indicates that companies in information technology increasingly welcome back former employees, a trend that started in 2022. Other sectors, such as leisure, healthcare, and construction, show far fewer returning employees. For Google, this strategy leverages a rich pool of talent following its 2023 layoffs, which affected around 12,000 workers.

Rival Poaching Intensifies

Alongside rehiring former employees, Google is actively recruiting from competitors. The company has ramped up hiring from rival firms, including Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple. This aggressive talent acquisition strategy aims to strengthen Google’s AI initiatives, including the recently launched Gemini 3, which promises a new era of artificial intelligence across Google’s suite of products.

Google Gemini vs. ChatGPT

The Gemini app now boasts 650 million monthly users, marking a 46% increase in traffic. However, it still trails OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which maintains around 800 million weekly users. Google’s recruitment push highlights the need to close this gap by securing top AI talent capable of delivering innovative features that rival OpenAI’s offerings.

Company Perspective on Talent Strategy

A Google spokesperson emphasized the appeal of the company’s AI initiatives: “We’re energized by our momentum, compute, and talent – engineers want to work here to keep building groundbreaking products.” The statement underscores Google’s commitment to leveraging both returning and new talent to sustain rapid AI development.

Apple and the AI Talent Shuffle

The competition for AI talent extends beyond Google. Apple recently appointed a former Googler as its VP of AI, signaling that tech giants are increasingly competing over a limited pool of skilled engineers. These movements highlight the strategic importance of experience and prior company knowledge in shaping the next generation of AI products.

Why Returning Employees Matter

Boomerang hires bring immediate value, often requiring less onboarding and offering deep familiarity with company culture and systems. For Google, rehiring former employees not only fills roles quickly but also strengthens institutional knowledge, an essential advantage as the company navigates the fast-paced AI landscape.

The Road Ahead for Google AI

With a mix of returning talent and strategic poaching from rivals, Google is positioning itself for accelerated AI innovation. Gemini 3 represents a significant step forward, but the company’s ability to compete with OpenAI hinges on maintaining momentum in talent acquisition and technology development. The coming years will likely see even more strategic moves as tech giants battle for dominance in artificial intelligence.