Google Brain and DeepMind, two subsidiaries of Alphabet, have merged to form a new unit called Google DeepMind. The unit will focus on accelerated development of general-purpose artificial intelligence (AI) – a concept where machines are intelligent at the level of a human, possessing the ability to learn and apply their mind to solve any problems.
According to Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, Google has been the first artificial intelligence company since 2016. Google integrated the possibilities of machine learning in the search for Gmail and Pixel smartphones using neural networks. Pichai claimed that Google Brain has created a strong research group in AI, known for developing the TensorFlow literary learning and scaling methods.
Google aims to preserve its dominance in the internet and advertising industries by exploring the capabilities of general AI. The company faces competition from rivals who are actively utilising generative products driven by AI. Therefore, Google has formed this new unit to enhance its research in general AI, make more effective and responsible systems, and accelerate progress in the field.
Co-founder of DeepMind, Demis Hassabis, will oversee the new team as the general director. Jeff Dean, head of Google AI, will become the chief researcher of Google DeepMind and will report to Pichai. Hassabis will lead the research initiatives for developing general technologies of artificial intelligence.
Google acquired DeepMind in 2014 for $600 million, and in 2015, it became a subsidiary owned by Alphabet. In 2018, the DeepMind health unit was also transformed into Google Health.