GOOGLE ANNOUNCES BIG RESTRUCTURING, CREATES ONE ENTITY FOR ANDROID AND STREAMLINES AI TEAMS

Google is focusing heavily on AI and developing a smarter ecosystem for its devices. Over the past few years, Google has made several internal changes in its departments to streamline its focus on development. In line with building its "AI Future," Google has now announced significant company-wide restructuring and changes in its departments.

In a recent email to employees, Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced that the company has decided to reorganise its Platforms and Devices departments, including employees working in Android, Chrome, and Pixel, as well as other internal changes. Pichai suggests that these structural changes are designed to streamline decision-making and accelerate innovation across the company.

According to Google's official blog  the new changes at Google are outlined around several key shifts across four main areas: Models and Research, Responsible AI, Platforms and Devices, and Mission First.

Major changes focused on AI development

One of the most significant changes in the recent restructuring at Google is focused on streamlining its AI development efforts. To achieve this, Google is merging the Google Brain team and DeepMind researchers into one entity called Google DeepMind. This move aims to centralise all efforts on building advanced AI models, streamlining development and making it easier for other teams to use these models in their products.

In addition, the Google Research team is being refocused. While Google DeepMind will handle building advanced models, Google Research will concentrate on more fundamental areas of computer science. This includes the development of new computing systems, machine learning algorithms, and research on the societal impact of AI. This two-pronged approach aims to both push the boundaries of AI and ensure responsible development.

Google is strengthening Responsible AI

The next big change is towards strengthening Responsible AI. Firstly, Google is integrating its Responsible AI teams within Google Research into Google DeepMind. This will place these teams closer to the core development process, allowing them to identify and address potential issues earlier. Additionally, Google is investing more in its central Trust and Safety team with additional resources and focus on AI. This includes setting standardised launch requirements for AI features, increased investment in "red team" testing to uncover vulnerabilities, and robust model evaluations to guarantee accuracy and responsiveness.

All these efforts aim to create a more responsible AI development lifecycle, with clear accountability at each step and a strong feedback loop between models, products, and users.

Bringing Platforms and Devices Under One Roof

Google is also revamping its structure to better leverage AI for its computing platforms and transform its Android. The company is now creating a new organisation called Platforms & Devices by merging the Devices and Services Platforms and Experiences (DSPA) teams.

Additionally, Google Research specialists in computational photography and on-device intelligence will join the new group. This unification brings together hardware, software, and AI expertise under one roof, aiming to accelerate development and deliver higher quality products and experiences. The restructuring is expected to benefit the Android and Chrome ecosystems. "Having a unified team across Platforms & Devices will help us deliver higher quality products and experiences for our users and partners. It will help us turbocharge the Android and Chrome ecosystems, and bring the best innovations to partners faster — as we did with Circle to Search with Samsung," says Pichai.

Leadership Changes in Google

Finally, along with structural changes, Google is also making some leadership changes. The Platforms & Devices organisation will be overseen by Rick Osterloh, while Sameer Samat will take the lead across the Android ecosystem. Hiroshi Lockheimer, who has played a pivotal role in the growth of Android, Chrome, and other key platforms, will transition to an advisory role during this period. He will also head a new role as the executive sponsor for Google in Japan.

"All of the changes referenced above will help us work with greater focus and clarity toward our mission," says Pichai.

2024-04-19T07:32:39Z dg43tfdfdgfd