Google is making significant changes to its organizational structure as it aims to enhance the development of its artificial intelligence (AI) services. The tech giant is folding several teams into its AI research and development division, Google DeepMind, to streamline operations and accelerate the pace of innovation in AI technologies.
In 2023, Google DeepMind emerged from the merger of Google's DeepMind team and the Google Brain team from Google Research. This division has been at the forefront of many of Google's recent AI advancements, including the Gemini chatbot. According to CEO Sundar Pichai, Gemini has gained "strong momentum," indicating that it is a pivotal product in Google's efforts to establish itself as a leader in the AI space.
As part of the reorganization, teams responsible for developing AI models, research, and responsible AI practices will be integrated into Google DeepMind. Notably, the AI Studio team and the team developing APIs for the Gemini series of models will also join this division. This move is designed to "keep increasing the pace of progress" in Google's AI development efforts.
Pichai emphasized the importance of this strategic shift, stating, "Scaling Gemini on the consumer side will be our biggest focus [in 2025]." The company recognizes that it has work ahead to close the gap in the competitive landscape of AI chatbots and establish a leadership position with Gemini by 2025.
The reorganization comes in response to the urgent need for speed in AI development. Pichai noted, "I think it’s really important we internalize the urgency of this moment, and [the] need to move faster as a company. The stakes are high." This reflects an overarching recognition that technological advancements in AI are rapidly evolving, and companies must adapt quickly to remain relevant.
Jaana Dogan, an engineer on one of the teams transitioning to Google DeepMind, highlighted the potential benefits of this reorganization. She remarked, "Better APIs, more open source, more tools, you name it … it is just the very small percentage of what’s coming next." This statement underscores a commitment to improving accessibility and functionality in Google's AI offerings.
Logan Kilpatrick, who leads product for Google's AI Studio developer platform, echoed similar sentiments in a post on X. He stated, "This move will allow us to double down on our already deep collaboration and accelerate the research to developer pipeline."
As Google continues to shape its future in artificial intelligence, the consolidation of its AI teams under Google DeepMind signifies a clear intent to harness collective expertise and resources. This strategic realignment aims not only to enhance existing products like Gemini but also to foster innovation that will keep Google at the forefront of AI development.
