Google chief executive Sundar Pichai has shaken up the tech giant’s top ranks and structure to speed up its development and rollout of artificial intelligence products, after facing criticism for falling behind rivals such as Microsoft.
All teams working on its AI models, including its flagship Gemini chatbot, will be unified under its DeepMind division run by Demis Hassabis, according to a memo on Thursday. This will include research, models, computing power and those responsible for overseeing their accuracy and trustworthiness.
A new platform and devices team run by Rick Osterloh, senior vice-president of devices and services, will encompass those working on the hardware and software behind Android, the Chrome browser, search and photos. Hiroshi Lockheimer, head of Android, will be moved to work on other products and is replaced by Sameer Samat, vice-president of product management for Android and Google Play.