Google Merges AI Research Units Google Brain and DeepMind to Form Google DeepMind
Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, has announced the merger of its two leading artificial intelligence research units, Google Brain and DeepMind.[0] This new entity will be called Google DeepMind and will be led by Demis Hassabis, co-founder and CEO of DeepMind, and Jeff Dean, who will take on an elevated role as Google’s chief scientist. The primary focus of this merger is to ensure the responsible and safe development of general AI, building more capable systems that can solve the world's challenges.
As the competition in the field of AI research heats up, the goal of this move is to unite two groups with a common focus.[1] Google acquired DeepMind for approximately $500 million in 2014, and the London-based lab has become well-known for its ambitious research projects like its go-playing AlphaGo agent or protein-folding AlphaFold model.[2] The two divisions, DeepMind and Google Research, have reportedly had tensions in the past, leading DeepMind to seek more independence.
In the past, DeepMind and Google Brain conducted research endeavors independently. However, they have now teamed up to develop a model meant to challenge OpenAI's GPT-4.[3] It is believed the model could feature as many as a trillion parameters.[3] By merging these two units, Google aims to make them more powerful and faster, and to position the company to compete with OpenAI.
Google's AI leader Jeff Dean is set to receive a promotion and assume the role of chief scientist, reporting directly to Pichai. He will lead the technical projects related to AI that are deemed the “most critical and strategic”. The initial project on the agenda is a set of potent and versatile AI models, designed to operate across multiple modes.[0] Dean and Hassabis will collaborate to establish the research direction and identify “strategic technical projects” that are AI-related for the company.[4]
“Google Research will continue its important work leading fundamental advances in computer science across areas such as algorithms and theory, privacy and security, quantum computing, health, climate and sustainability and responsible AI, and will report in to James Manyika along with his existing Tech & Society teams,” said Pichai.[5] Meanwhile, Google DeepMind will spearhead groundbreaking AI products and advancements while maintaining ethical standards.
According to Pichai, the speed of advancements is currently quicker than it has ever been.[2] In order to guarantee the responsible and daring advancement of general AI, we are establishing a department that will assist us in constructing more proficient systems in a safer and more accountable manner.
Demis Hassabis added that they will “accelerate our progress towards a world in which AI helps solve the biggest challenges facing humanity. To ensure the safe and responsible development of advanced and versatile AI, we must overcome some of the most difficult scientific and engineering obstacles of our era. For that, we need to work with greater speed, stronger collaboration and execution, and to simplify the way we make decisions to focus on achieving the biggest impact.”
The announcement comes at a time when AI is increasingly in the spotlight, thanks to the growing popularity of generative AI programs and chatbots like ChatGPT.[6] In an effort to combat the competition, Google has released Bard, a chatbot that utilizes the Language Model for Dialogue Applications (LaMDA).[6] Despite its controversial launch, a recent report suggests that Google disregarded objections from some employees, including members of its AI ethical team, and hastily released Bard to the public.[7] The development of AI art and video generators by Google is currently underway.[7]
Overall, the merger of Google Brain and DeepMind into Google DeepMind is a significant development in the field of AI research. By bringing together these two powerhouses in AI, Google aims to accelerate progress towards a future in which AI can help solve the world's biggest challenges, safely and responsibly.
0. “Google consolidates AI research labs into Google DeepMind to compete with OpenAI” VentureBeat, 20 Apr. 2023, https://venturebeat.com/ai/google-consolidates-ai-research-labs-into-google-deepmind-to-compete-with-openai/
1. “Alphabet Merges Google Brain and DeepMind to Form Google DeepMind” Best Stocks, 20 Apr. 2023, https://beststocks.com/alphabet-merges-google-brain-and-deepmind-to/
2. “Google Brain, protein-folding DeepMind fold into one” The Register, 20 Apr. 2023, https://www.theregister.com/2023/04/20/google_brain_deep_mind/
3. “Google merges its DeepMind and Google Brain AI research groups” SiliconANGLE News, 20 Apr. 2023, https://siliconangle.com/2023/04/20/google-merges-deepmind-google-brain-ai-research-groups
4. “Google merges DeepMind and Brain into single artificial intelligence team – Silicon Valley Business Journal” The Business Journals, 20 Apr. 2023, https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2023/04/20/google-brain-ai-deep-mind-aritificial-intelligence.html
5. “Google Announces Internal Shakeup To Create Google DeepMind” Search Engine Journal, 20 Apr. 2023, https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-deepmind/485141/
6. “Google to accelerate AI efforts with newly combined team” Android Central, 20 Apr. 2023, https://www.androidcentral.com/apps-software/google-deepmind-combined-team
7. “Google merges its two AI teams, Brain and DeepMind, to form Google DeepMind” Neowin, 20 Apr. 2023, https://www.neowin.net/news/google-merges-its-two-ai-teams-brain-and-deepmind-to-form-google-deepmind/
