Google is undergoing a major reorganization that will give more power and autonomy to the leaders of its artificial intelligence (AI) units, including DeepMind and the team behind the Pixel smartphone. The changes aim to streamline decision-making and accelerate the development of AI products and services. DeepMind, the AI research company acquired by Google in 2014, will become a separate product area within Google, with its CEO Demis Hassabis reporting directly to Sundar Pichai. The Pixel team, led by Rick Osterloh, will also gain more independence and resources. This shakeup comes as Google faces increasing competition from Microsoft and others in the AI race. By empowering its AI leaders, Google hopes to move faster and maintain its edge in this critical field. However, the reorganization also raises questions about potential conflicts of interest and the ethical implications of giving AI teams more autonomy.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/google-big-shakeup-gives-more-power-to-deepmind-pixel-leaders-2024-4