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Google is making some significant AI leadership changes, including a major shift for Google DeepMind leader Demis Hassabis.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Hassabis will become the chair of Google DeepMind and the chief scientist at Alphabet, CEO Sundar Pichai announced on Wednesday. Hassabis will continue to lead Alphabet\u2019s Isomorphic Labs, which aims to use AI to develop drugs. Koray Kavukcuoglu, formerly DeepMind\u2019s CTO, is stepping up to become Google\u2019s SVP of DeepMind and will report to Pichai. Kavukcuoglu will remain Google\u2019s chief AI architect as well.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\u201c\u200b\u200bAs you\u2019ve heard me say many times, I\u2019ve always believed the No.1 application of AI should be to improve human health,\u201d Hassabis says in a message to staff. \u201cIt\u2019s time for AI to prove its unequivocal value to the world, and what better way to demonstrate that than to help finally cure diseases like cancer.\u201d Hassabis says he will \u201ccontinue to work closely with Sundar on strategic and global AGI matters\u201d and to advise Kavukcuoglu and other DeepMind leads.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
In another big change, veteran Googler Jeff Dean \u2014 the chief scientist of Google DeepMind and Google\u2019s 30th employee \u2014 is leaving with Google Fellow Sanjay Ghemawat to form an AI-focused public benefit corporation called Discovery Loop. Google will be a \u201cfounding investor\u201d in the new company, Pichai says.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cOur mission is straightforward: we are building AI solutions that can automatically solve important problems in machine learning, science, and engineering,\u201d Discovery Loop says on its website. \u201cBy advancing the pace at which we conduct engineering and scientific discovery, we can bring the benefits of science and technology to the world much faster. Ultimately, our goal is to build AI systems that act as a deeply positive, empowering force for humanity, delivering technology solutions that improve people\u2019s lives on a global scale.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n