Sources: Google's AI shakeup is a seismic shift in the works for months and cements Sergey Brin's influence, after execs became frustrated with Demis Hassabis (Financial Times)

Google is undergoing a significant leadership overhaul in its AI efforts, shifting control from London back to Silicon Valley. According to the Financial Times, this change has been in the works for months and solidifies Sergey Brin's influence. The shakeup comes after executives became frustrated with Demis Hassabis, who is stepping down as Google DeepMind CEO.

Hassabis will take on a new role as chief scientist at Alphabet, Google's parent company, and chair of DeepMind. Business Insider reports that some Google insiders view this move as a way to find the next breakthrough in AI, allowing Hassabis to focus on long-term goals such as using AI to cure cancer.

The leadership change occurs at a critical time for Google, which is trailing competitors in areas like coding and has postponed its new frontier model. The Financial Times notes that the London lab's scientific culture is giving way to urgency to build AI products, with control being consolidated in Silicon Valley.

Brief written by urgent.news from Techmeme, Business Insider, Android Authority, Financial Times, Financial Post — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.