In a surprising move, Google’s parent company Alphabet swooped in to acquire talent from AI coding startup Windsurf, beating out competitors like Meta Platforms and Tesla in the talent war. Mark Zuckerberg of Meta Platforms has also been aggressively acquiring AI talent, making the first big acquisition-hire in the talent wars with Scale AI for $14.3 billion.

Google outwitted OpenAI by acquiring AI coding platform Windsurf, known for its innovative code generation and “agentic coding” capabilities, for $2.4 billion. This move allowed Google to secure key talent and a non-exclusive license to Windsurf’s technology, while Cognition AI acquired the rest of Windsurf’s assets.

Google’s acquisition of Windsurf strengthens its position in AI-powered coding tools and agentic AI systems, positioning the company as a leader in the next phase of AI development. The non-exclusive license allows for continued innovation and commercial partnerships, boosting investor confidence in Google’s innovation commitment beyond search-based advertising.

Director of Research Sheraz Mian of Zacks Investment Research has named a top stock pick with the potential to double in value, targeting millennial and Gen Z audiences and generating significant revenue. This strategic pick comes at a time of rapid innovation in the AI industry, signaling new opportunities for growth and investment.

Read more at Nasdaq: Zacks Investment Ideas feature highlights: Alphabet, Meta Platforms, Tesla, Apple and Microsoft