GOOGLE SHAKES UP AI DIVISION AS KEY LEADERS EXIT

The leadership shuffle raises questions about Google's commitment to competing in the high-stakes AI race. Dean, a legendary figure at Google with decades of tenure, is leaving to launch his own startup. Hassabis, who co-founded DeepMind, will shift focus to longer-term research rather than leading operations. The moves come as competitors like OpenAI and Anthropic accelerate their AI development. Industry observers are parsing whether Google's restructuring signals confidence in its existing AI strategy or reveals deeper challenges in execution. Google has not yet announced replacements for the departing leaders. The company continues to invest heavily in AI through its main products and research divisions, but the high-profile exits underscore mounting pressure to demonstrate progress in a field where speed and innovation are critical competitive advantages.