Google reorganizes Android, Chrome and Pixel teams; DeepMind to now handle AI development | Tech News

Google reorganizes Android, Chrome and Pixel teams; DeepMind to now handle AI development

Google is bringing DeepMind and its Research team together to bring powerful AI experiences and models. Know what Alphabet CEO said about the announcement.

By: AISHWARYA PANDA
| Updated on: Apr 19 2024, 13:55 IST
From Google Pixel 8a to Android 15, what to expect at Google I/O 2024
Google reorganizes Android, Chrome and Pixel teams; DeepMind to now handle AI development
1/5 Google I/O 2024 time and place: Google has announced that its annual developer conference will kick off on May 14 at 10:30 PM IST or 10:00 AM PT. If last year's trend continues, it is likely to be held at the Shoreline Amphitheater at the Google HQ in Mountain View, California. (Google)
Google reorganizes Android, Chrome and Pixel teams; DeepMind to now handle AI development
2/5 1. Artificial intelligence: During this year's conference, artificial intelligence (AI) could yet again take center stage, especially after Google already made several major AI announcements this year including Gemini and Gemma, its families of Large Language Models (LLMs). (Google)
Google reorganizes Android, Chrome and Pixel teams; DeepMind to now handle AI development
3/5 2. Google Pixel 8a: Google is also likely to showcase its upcoming affordable smartphone, the Pixel 8a. It will be the latest entry into the Google Pixel 8 series which already has the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. In January, an alleged Pixel 8a retail box was spotted online which hints at a Pixel 8-esque design of the rumoured smartphone. (Representative Image) (Shaurya Tomer/HT Tech)
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4/5 Android 15: The Android 14 rollout began last year and more and more devices are getting it. What does this mean? We could potentially see some Android 15-related unveilings or announcements at Google I/0 2024, especially now that the Preview Phase 1 seems to have kicked off. (Unsplash)
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5/5 Other announcements: Apart from this, Google could also make announcements related to its other services including Gmail, Photos, Maps and Workspace. (Unsplash)
Google reorganizes Android, Chrome and Pixel teams; DeepMind to now handle AI development
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Know about the biggest Google organisational changes taking place. (AP)

Google is finally stepping out of its comfort zone to provide an advanced AI experience to its consumers. With advancements in technology, the AI race, and the need to fulfil consumer needs, Google has announced a major organisational change by merging its hardware and software teams together as one. Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai made the announcement with the motivation to provide high-quality services to their users as well as partners, especially in the AI space.

Google reorganizes Android, Chrome and Pixel teams

According to an internal email by Sundar Pichai (via9to5Mac), the company has announced the merging of Google Research with teams in DeepMind to advance its AI experiences with the Gemini model. The merger will be called “Platforms & Devices” which will include teams from Android, Chrome, Pixel, and other company-wide services. Pichai said that the merger will bring “higher quality products and experiences for our users and partners.” He further added that the move will help the company “turbocharge the Android and Chrome ecosystems.”

The new merged team will be headed by Rick Osterloh who previously looked for Google's hardware efforts. Hiroshi Lockheimer will be shifted to new projects across Alphabet. Sameer Samat will now be heading the Android ecosystem. The Verge reported that the merger was suggested by Osterloh and Lockheimer two years ago. Now Lockheimer said regarding the organisational shift “felt like the right time.”

How the merger will benefit the company and consumers?

Previously, Google had several different teams building their own AI models. But going forward, all "compute-intensive model building" will be handled by the research laboratory known as DeepMind. This move could potentially allow the team members to build powerful AI models with effective collaboration and team building.

Google is streamlining its AI efforts with a central team where AI models will be easily accessible to other teams to build intuitive and advanced applications. Furthermore, with combined efforts, teams would be able to deliver new innovations faster with more powerful AI models.

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First Published Date: 19 Apr, 13:55 IST
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