Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced a big reorganization across Gemini, Assistant, and Search.
Previously, the Gemini app team was part of Google's Knowledge & Information division that includes Search, Ads, Geo (Maps), and Commerce. They are now being moved into the Google DeepMind organization formed last year.
Pichai says "bringing the teams closer together will improve feedback loops, enable fast deployment of our new models in the Gemini app, make our post-training work proceed more efficiently and build on our great product momentum."
Meanwhile, instead of being part of (close to) the Gemini team, "Assistant teams focused on devices and home experiences will move to Platforms & Devices," or the Pixel and Android division. This means Assistant teams "can sit closer to the product surfaces they're building for and bring our AI-powered home initiatives into one team and focus on improving user experience."
Additionally, Google Search chief Prabhakar Raghavan is leaving that senior vice president role and will "return to his computer science roots and take on the role of Chief Technologist, Google."
Prabhakar's leadership journey at Google has been remarkable, spanning Research, Workspace, Ads, and K&I. He led the Gmail team in launching Smart Reply and Smart Compose as early examples of using AI to improve products, and took Gmail and Drive past 1 billion users. Across K&I, Prabhakar and team have achieved significant growth and innovation: from launching AI Overviews, a groundbreaking advancement in Search that benefits hundreds of millions of users worldwide to introducing new search modalities like Circle to Search, video understanding, and "shop what you see" in Lens -- all while improving core Search functionality. Maps and Shopping have transformed with AI-driven features like immersive view and virtual try-on. And in Ads, we've made real progress with AI-powered ad formats and streamlined campaign management, while continuing to innovate with Performance Max to empower millions of businesses.
Knowledge & Information will now be led by longtime Googler Nick Fox, who previously led Assistant and is now an SVP.