OpenAI poaches Google executive to lead corporate development

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OpenAI has hired Google’s

Albert Lee to lead corporate development, a spokesperson for the artificial intelligence startup confirmed to CNBC.

Lee previously led corporate development for Google Cloud and Google DeepMind. He worked on several of Google’s high-profile acquisitions, including its $32 billion purchase of the cloud security startup Wiz, which the company announced in March.

In his new role, Lee will have broad visibility across OpenAI as the company focuses on strategic investments and M&A in its next phase of growth, the spokesperson said. His hiring signals that OpenAI will continue to hunt for targets that can help it gain an edge over rivals like Google