Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, is consolidating its two AI-focused research divisions, Google Brain and DeepMind, in response to rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and the competitive landscape.
Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet, emphasized the urgency of this initiative, stating, “The pace of progress is now faster than ever before. To ensure the bold and responsible development of general AI, we’re creating a unit that will help us build more capable systems more safely and responsibly.” This announcement was made in a recent blog post.
In a company-wide memo, Pichai revealed that Demis Hassabis, CEO of DeepMind, will lead the newly formed group, while Jeff Dean, the head of AI at Google, will be elevated to the position of chief scientist. Additionally, James Manyika, senior vice president of technology and society at Google, will oversee Google Research and report to Dean.
This strategic move highlights the intensifying competition in the AI sector, particularly following OpenAI’s introduction of ChatGPT last year. Google is keen to regain its foothold, especially after the introduction of Bard—its own AI chatbot—which faced setbacks, including a significant financial loss tied to inaccurate information in an advertisement.
Regarding the new direction of these teams, Pichai noted in the memo that “Google Research will continue its focus on fundamental and applied research across a broad portfolio.” This encompasses tackling significant challenges in computer science, particularly in AI and machine learning, while aiming to enhance lives globally through advancements in privacy, security, quantum computing, and responsible AI practices.