Google’s Demis Hassabis is the man tasked with turning bleeding-edge AI research into profits

US Markets
Monday, May 13th, 2024 2:08 pm EDT

Key Points

  • Demis Hassabis, renowned for his AI research and achievements, is leading Google’s AI efforts, aiming to integrate the latest AI technologies across the Google ecosystem.
  • Hassabis, known for his competitiveness since childhood, brings a unique blend of academic prowess and consumer experience, having shipped a hit video game in the 1990s before co-founding DeepMind.
  • Despite Google’s initial dominance in AI under Hassabis, competition from entities like OpenAI and Microsoft has prompted a shift in strategy towards commercialization, with products like AlphaFold securing significant commercial partnerships.

Demis Hassabis, renowned for his achievements in artificial intelligence (AI) research, is now at the forefront of Google’s colossal AI endeavors. His integration of DeepMind with Google Brain and subsequent appointment as its leader mark a pivotal moment for the tech giant’s AI strategy. Hassabis aims to democratize AI technologies across Google’s vast ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of serving billions of users. Despite his academic background, Hassabis is determined to deliver consumer-friendly AI products. Having excelled in various competitive arenas since childhood, including chess and video game development, Hassabis brings a unique blend of competitiveness and consumer insight to his role. His tenure at DeepMind yielded groundbreaking AI technologies, such as AlphaGo and AlphaFold, which have significantly advanced the field. However, Google’s edge in AI has waned in the face of competition from entities like OpenAI and Microsoft. Critics argue that Google’s cautious approach and openness with its research have inadvertently aided its competitors. In response, Google has shifted towards a more aggressive strategy, focusing on commercializing its AI breakthroughs. AlphaFold’s success in securing partnerships for drug discovery exemplifies this shift. Hassabis emphasizes the importance of bringing AI products to the broader public, acknowledging their flaws but highlighting their utility. As Google transitions from pioneering research to profitable products, investors are eager to see if the company can leverage its cutting-edge AI advancements into tangible financial gains.

For the full original article on CNBC, please click here: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/05/13/googles-demis-hassabis-tasked-with-turning-ai-research-into-profits.html