A leadership shake-up at DeepMind
Google is reshuffling the leadership of its main artificial intelligence lab. Demis Hassabis, co-founder of DeepMind, will become chairman of Google DeepMind. The change frees him from some day-to-day management duties while he stays involved in research direction.
The move comes as Google pushes to keep pace in a crowded AI race. DeepMind has been central to that effort, producing models that underpin many of the company's products.
Jeff Dean's next act
Jeff Dean, one of Google's most influential engineers, is leaving the company. Dean helped build many of the systems that made modern AI possible. He will launch a startup focused on using AI for scientific discovery.
Dean's exit is part of a wider wave of departures from Google's AI ranks. Several senior researchers have left in recent months to start their own companies or join rivals.
What the changes mean for Google's AI push
Google said the leadership changes will allow DeepMind to focus on its next generation of models. A new management team will handle day-to-day operations, while Hassabis guides strategy from the chairman's seat.
Industry watchers say the reshuffle reflects the pressure on big technology companies to keep top AI talent. Labs are competing not just on results, but on keeping the researchers who produce them. Whether the new structure holds DeepMind's team together will be one of the questions to watch in the coming months.