Remember the Apple Exec Against the Strict Return-to-Office Policy? He's Now With Google

Ian Goodfellow, the Apple executive who oversaw machine learning and artificial intelligence, recently quit his role in the tech giant, claiming a lack of flexibility in its workplace policies.

But in just a short while, Goodfellow appears to be employed again. This time, he's returning to Google, where he previously worked before joining Apple.

Bloomberg has heard from the sources close to the matter that Goodfellow has agreed to take a job at Google's artificial intelligence division, DeepMind.

However, it should be noted that the hire has yet to be confirmed by the company.

Goodfellow Will Work in Google ... Again

According to 9to5Google, Goodfellow joined Google as a "Software Engineering Intern" in 2013 and left in March 2016 as a "Senior Research Scientist" at Google Brain. He went back to Google for two years, just right after a year at Open AI.

Apple recruited him in March 2019 as "Director of Machine Learning in the Special Projects Group."

People familiar with the matter said Goodfellow's switch to Google is a coup for the DeepMind division, bringing him on as an individual contributor.

Goodfellow is regarded as a leading machine learning researcher, and the move represents a type of reunion. According to 9to5mac, he was dubbed "the father of general adversarial networks, or GANs," a technology that is used to create media content such as "deepfakes."

Goodfellow Left Apple Due to Return-to-Work Policy

He departed over the company's return-to-work policy, which supposedly involves spending three days a week at the office, albeit this was postponed on May 17.

A Bloomberg report held that the iPhone maker planned to require corporate employees to work from the office on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays beginning this month.

Meanwhile, 9to5mac reported that a few Apple employees began returning to in-person work last month, and on May 23, all staff would be required to report to the office three times per week. However, a group of employees has complained that the company isn't flexible enough to work remotely. On the other hand, Google allows its staff to explore different work schedules.

Apple had planned to require staff to return to work within a few days, but the tech giant had to postpone such duties once again. However, the decision is based on the rising number of COVID-19 cases rather than employee demands.

Employees will still be required to work in person, but only two days a week. Furthermore, Apple will require everyone to wear face masks in public spaces once more.

What Can Possibly Happen if Apple Will Not Change Its Working Schedule?

Filipe Espósito of 9to5mac opined that if Apple does not revise its views about working remotely, it will likely lose some talent, especially since other Silicon Valley firms are much more flexible in this regard.

Bloomberg highlighted that Alphabet has a more relaxed return-to-work policy than Apple. While the search engine giant is encouraging staff to return to work, it is granting exemptions to most employees who want to work from home.