Google has announced a major restructuring within its leadership team, as communicated by CEO Sundar Pichai in a memo to employees. The most notable change is the appointment of Prabhakar Raghavan, the long-time head of Google Search, to the newly created role of Chief Technologist. In this position, Raghavan will oversee Google Search, Ads, and other critical areas, driving technological excellence and setting the strategic direction for the company.
Key Leadership Changes:
- Prabhakar Raghavan: After a decade leading various teams, Raghavan will step into the Chief Technologist role, bringing his deep computer science expertise to the forefront. His focus will be on enhancing Google’s innovation, working closely with CEO Sundar Pichai and other key executives.
- Nick Fox: Taking over Raghavan’s previous role, Nick Fox, an experienced leader in Google’s search and ads divisions, will manage Search, Ads, Geo, and Commerce. Fox has played a key role in developing Google Fi and RCS messaging.
Organizational Shifts:
- The Gemini app team, headed by Sissie Hsaio, will now merge with Google DeepMind, encouraging more efficient collaboration and deployment of new models.
- The Google Assistant team will transition to the Platforms and Devices division, enhancing the integration of AI-powered services into products and improving the overall user experience in Google’s home devices.
In his memo, Pichai emphasized that the restructuring aims to streamline leadership and boost AI-driven innovation to keep up with the rapid advancements in the industry. He highlighted Raghavan’s key contributions, such as the introduction of AI-driven features like Smart Reply and Smart Compose for Gmail.
Credit: This article is based on information from The Times of India, Business Insider, and Markets Insider.