Google is implementing significant leadership adjustments within its artificial intelligence division, most notably for Demis Hassabis, who previously headed Google’s AI initiatives. As announced by CEO Sundar Pichai on Wednesday, Hassabis will transition into the roles of Google DeepMind chair and Alphabet’s chief scientist.
In his new capacity, Hassabis will also continue to oversee Alphabet’s Isomorphic Labs, an endeavor dedicated to leveraging AI for pharmaceutical drug development. Concurrently, Koray Kavukcuoglu, formerly DeepMind’s Chief Technology Officer, has been promoted to Google’s Senior Vice President of DeepMind, reporting directly to Pichai. Kavukcuoglu will additionally retain his position as Google’s chief AI architect.
Reflecting on the future of AI, Hassabis shared his perspective with staff, stating, “As you’ve heard me say many times, I’ve always believed the No.1 application of AI should be to improve human health.” He further emphasized, “It’s time for AI to prove its unequivocal value to the world, and what better way to demonstrate that than to help finally cure diseases like cancer.” Hassabis affirmed his commitment to “continue to work closely with Sundar on strategic and global AGI matters” and to provide guidance to Kavukcuoglu and other DeepMind leaders.
Parallel to these changes, Google will see the departure of two long-standing figures: Jeff Dean, chief scientist of Google DeepMind and Google's 30th employee, and Google Fellow Sanjay Ghemawat. They are embarking on a new venture, forming an AI-focused public benefit corporation named Discovery Loop, with Google participating as a “founding investor,” according to Pichai.
Outlining its vision, Discovery Loop’s website states, “Our mission is straightforward: we are building AI solutions that can automatically solve important problems in machine learning, science, and engineering.” The organization aims to accelerate progress, asserting, “By advancing the pace at which we conduct engineering and scientific discovery, we can bring the benefits of science and technology to the world much faster.” Ultimately, their ambition is to “build AI systems that act as a deeply positive, empowering force for humanity, delivering technology solutions that improve people’s lives on a global scale.”
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