Google Replaces Search and Ads Exec

October 18, 2024 at 6:45:57 AM

TL;DR Google is making a leadership change. CEO Sundar Pichai announced that Prabhakar Raghavan, senior VP in charge of search, ads, and other segments, will become Chief Technologist. Nick Fox will replace Raghavan, leading Search, ads, geo, and commerce. The Gemini app division will join Google DeepMind, and the Assistant team will become part of the platforms and devices team. This shift comes as Google aims to strengthen its AI position.

Google is undergoing significant leadership changes. Prabhakar Raghavan, previously leading Google Search, Assistant, Geo, Ads, Commerce, and Payments, will now serve as Chief Technologist. CEO Sundar Pichai announced this shift, highlighting Raghavan's return to his computer science roots to provide technical direction and leadership.

Raghavan, who has been with Google for 12 years and led ads and commerce since 2018, will be succeeded by Nick Fox. Fox, a member of Raghavan's leadership team, has contributed to launching products like Google Fi and RCS messaging and will now head Google’s Search, ads, geo, and commerce divisions.

Additionally, Google is reorganizing other teams:

The Gemini app division, led by Sissie Hsaio, will join Google DeepMind under CEO Demis Hassabis.
The Google Assistant team will integrate with Google’s platforms and devices team.

These changes occur as Google aims to solidify its position in AI while facing potential antitrust actions from the US government regarding its search business.