Google's AI leadership shakeup rattles markets as Demis Hassabis steps back from day-to-day operations

Demis Hassabis, the Nobel Prize-winning mind behind Google DeepMind, is no longer running the show on a daily basis. As of August 5, Alphabet restructured its entire AI leadership hierarchy, moving Hassabis from CEO of Google DeepMind to the newly created dual role of Chair of Google DeepMind and Chief Scientist of Alphabet.

Wall Street’s reaction was swift and unambiguous. Alphabet shares fell 4% immediately following the announcement.

What actually changed

Hassabis will now focus on what Alphabet is calling “high-level frameworks” surrounding artificial general intelligence and the societal implications of advanced AI. He’ll also continue leading Isomorphic Labs, his AI-driven drug discovery venture, while advising on DeepMind models and research.

Taking over the operational reins is Koray Kavukcuoglu, formerly DeepMind’s Chief Technology Officer, who has been elevated to Senior Vice President of Google DeepMind. Kavukcuoglu will report directly to Sundar Pichai, Alphabet’s CEO.