Google to merge Brain and DeepMind into a single unit

Google will merge its AI division Brain with the DeepMind unit, acquired in 2014, into a single structure. объявил Sundar Pichai, chief executive of the company.

The merged groups “will significantly accelerate progress in AI,” he said.

The new division will be named Google DeepMind. Its head will be the lab’s chief executive Demis Hassabis. According to Pichai, he will “lead the development of our most capable and responsible general artificial intelligence systems.”

“Working closely with our remarkable colleagues, we have a real opportunity to deliver AI research and products that significantly improve the lives of billions, transform industries, advance science, and serve diverse communities,” said Hassabis.

He added that the creation of Google DeepMind will accelerate the development of advanced artificial intelligence systems:

“Safe and responsible creation of ever more powerful and universal AI requires us to solve some of the most challenging scientific and engineering problems of our time.”

Jeff Dean, the former senior vice president for research and health, will take on the role of Chief Scientist for Google Research and Google DeepMind.

Earlier, tensions between the corporation and its subsidiary surfaced. Media reports said that in 2021 DeepMind sought greater autonomy from Google. The tech giant refused, citing the unit’s unprofitability.

However, in the third quarter, DeepMind posted its first-ever profit.

In February 2023, Google представила Bard. A little over a month later, the company открыла доступ to a limited number of users to the tool.

In January 2022, DeepMind co-founder Mustafa Suleyman ушел из Google.