In a significant shake-up, Google CEO Sundar Pichai has unveiled a major reorganization involving the Gemini app team, the Assistant, and the Search division. The Gemini app team, which was previously situated within Google’s Knowledge & Information division—encompassing Search, Ads, Geo (Maps), and Commerce—will now transition to the newly formed Google DeepMind organization. This restructuring aims to enhance collaboration and efficiency across these critical areas.
Pichai emphasized that aligning the Gemini team with DeepMind will foster better feedback loops and enable quicker deployment of new models in the Gemini app. This move is expected to streamline post-training processes and build on the current momentum of their products.
In a related shift, the Assistant teams that focus on device integration and home experiences will be repositioned under the Platforms & Devices division, closely aligned with the Pixel and Android teams. This change is intended to facilitate closer collaboration between Assistant developers and the product surfaces they are designing for, ultimately enhancing user experience for AI-driven home initiatives.
Additionally, Prabhakar Raghavan, who has led Google Search, will step down from his role as senior vice president to assume a new position as Chief Technologist at Google. In this capacity, he will work closely with Pichai and other leaders to steer technical direction and cultivate a culture of excellence in technology.
Raghavan's career at Google has been marked by notable achievements across various departments, including Research, Workspace, Ads, and Knowledge & Information. He played a crucial role in developing AI features like Smart Reply and Smart Compose for Gmail, contributing to the platform's growth to over 1 billion users. Under his leadership, the Knowledge & Information division has seen groundbreaking innovations, including AI Overviews in Search and new search modalities such as Circle to Search and video understanding. Raghavan has also driven AI enhancements in Maps and Shopping, introducing features like immersive view and virtual try-on, while advancing AI-powered ad formats in the Ads division.
Taking the helm of the Knowledge & Information division will be Nick Fox, a veteran Googler who previously led the Assistant's initial development. Now serving as senior vice president, Fox has been instrumental in shaping Google’s AI product strategy, collaborating closely with Raghavan and his team. Throughout his extensive career, he has exhibited leadership across various aspects of Knowledge & Information, including Product and Design for Search and Assistant, as well as in Shopping, Travel, and Payments.
Fox has also been a pioneering figure in Ads, establishing a rigorous, user-centric approach that remains foundational to Google's success. He has spearheaded innovative consumer products like Google Fi and played a vital role in complex projects such as RCS messaging. Pichai frequently consults Fox on the most challenging product questions, relying on his consistent delivery of progress with speed and determination.
This reorganization reflects Google’s commitment to enhancing collaboration and innovation as it continues to navigate the evolving landscape of technology and user needs.
