New leadership roles set for DeepMind
Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced key changes within the Google DeepMind team, including new roles for Demis Hassabis and Koray Kavukcuoglu. These changes are meant to help drive the company's AI progress, particularly around artificial general intelligence. Hassabis is moving into the role of Chair of Google DeepMind and Chief Scientist of Alphabet while still leading Isomorphic Labs. This transition is intended to allow him to concentrate fully on shaping the future of AGI, an area he has long considered a top priority. At the same time, Koray Kavukcuoglu, a long-standing figure in DeepMind, will take on new responsibilities that build on his extensive contributions to the company.
Koray Kavukcuoglu, who has been with DeepMind since its start and led major projects like WaveNet and DQN, will now serve as SVP of Google DeepMind. He'll take charge of developing the Gemini models and Frontier AI research. His new role also includes managing the Gemini app and developer teams. Kavukcuoglu has over 13 years of experience at DeepMind, where he played a key part in building foundational AI systems. With his new position, he is expected to lead the company's research and product development efforts while aligning them with broader strategic goals set by the company leadership.
AGI and the future of DeepMind
Hassabis described the current moment as one where the future of artificial general intelligence is close at hand. He believes it's vital to shape this future to ensure it benefits humanity. As part of his new role, he'll focus on the bigger picture and influence what comes next in AI development. Hassabis has been a driving force behind many of DeepMind's innovations, and his continued involvement at the strategic level is expected to guide the company through the next phase of AI evolution. His dual role also keeps him connected with Isomorphic Labs, where his efforts in applying AI to scientific discovery remain a central focus.
Pichai highlighted the importance of this shift, stating that the new roles would allow DeepMind to keep pushing the boundaries of AI while also focusing on the long-term impact of AGI. The Gemini app, which has reached 950 million monthly users, is part of this momentum. This user base demonstrates the growing integration of AI into everyday life and the success of Google's AI products in reaching a broad audience. Beyond the Gemini app, DeepMind is also seeing success with its models, including the Gemini models and the Cyber model, as well as the Gemma models, which have surpassed 900 million downloads. These achievements underscore the company's position at the forefront of AI innovation and its commitment to continuous improvement in key areas.
Jeff Dean and new ventures
Jeff Dean, after 27 years at Google, is stepping into a new role. He and Sanjay Ghemawat are starting an independent public benefit corporation focused on advancing machine learning, science, and engineering. Google will support this new venture as a founding investor and Cloud partner. This move marks the culmination of Dean's long tenure at Google, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the company's technological direction. Dean and Ghemawat were key figures in the transition from early search infrastructure to the development of neural networks that underpin modern AI systems. Their new company will build on this legacy by exploring new frontiers in machine learning and related technologies.
Dean and Ghemawat have been instrumental in key technology shifts at Google, including the move from early search infrastructure to modern AI systems. Pichai expressed his personal excitement for their new endeavor while acknowledging the contributions they've made to Google's success. The two have had a lasting impact on Google's ability to innovate and adapt to changing technological landscapes. As they launch their new venture, their collaboration will continue to influence the field, especially in research partnerships with Google. Their departure is not seen as a loss but rather as a new chapter in their careers that will open up fresh opportunities for discovery and collaboration in the broader AI and technology ecosystem.