Meet Noam Shazeer: Google's new AI models co-lead

Published On Fri Aug 23 2024

Google names Character.AI founder as AI models co-lead

DEGemini is a line of AI models being developed by DeepMind which are set to be integrated into products like Search and Pixel smartphones. Google has recently appointed Noam Shazeer, the former head of startup Character.AI and a long-time Google researcher, to co-lead its main AI project.

Shazeer has been selected to serve as a technical lead on Gemini, working alongside other co-leaders Jeff Dean and Oriol Vinyals, according to a memo sent to staff by the company. The Gemini project aims to incorporate AI models developed by DeepMind into various Google products.

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Shazeer, who recently rejoined Google from a chatbot startup he founded in 2021, was brought back by the tech giant in a billion-dollar deal. This move reflects Google's commitment to investing heavily in top talent like Shazeer and a few other employees to advance its AI capabilities.

In response to the memo, Shazeer expressed his excitement about rejoining Google and contributing to the development of cutting-edge technology. His previous work at Google, including co-authoring a significant research paper in 2017 that influenced the current AI landscape, showcases his expertise in the field.

Character.AI, the startup founded by Shazeer, has leveraged the technical innovations outlined in the aforementioned research paper to secure funding and achieve significant valuation milestones. Although Google was considering investing in Character.AI, it ultimately opted to bring Shazeer back into the company.

Regulatory Scrutiny

The acquisition-like deal between Google and Character.AI is part of a broader trend where tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft are strategically acquiring talent from AI startups. This trend comes at a time when major tech companies are under increased regulatory scrutiny, with Google recently facing antitrust allegations.

Gemini ai hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy

Last month, a US court ruled that Google had violated antitrust laws by monopolizing the search engine market. These legal challenges highlight the importance of ethical and fair competition in the tech industry, prompting companies to be more cautious in their strategic moves.

While Google's collaboration with Shazeer and Character.AI is not a traditional acquisition, it underscores the company's commitment to fostering innovation in AI technology. By bringing top talent like Shazeer back into the fold, Google aims to strengthen its position as a leader in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.