Google's Search and Advertising Business Gets New Head: Fox Replaces Raghavan as Company Accelerates AI Strategy

Google's Search and Advertising Business Gets New Head: Fox Replaces Raghavan as Company Accelerates AI StrategyOn October 18, Google announced that long-time company executive Nick Fox will replace Prabhakar Raghavan as the head of its search and advertising business. The news of this personnel change was announced in a post on Thursday by Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and its parent company Alphabet

Google's Search and Advertising Business Gets New Head: Fox Replaces Raghavan as Company Accelerates AI Strategy

On October 18, Google announced that long-time company executive Nick Fox will replace Prabhakar Raghavan as the head of its search and advertising business. The news of this personnel change was announced in a post on Thursday by Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and its parent company Alphabet.

Pichai stated that Raghavan, after leading Google Search for 12 years, will take on the role of Chief Technology Officer, reporting directly to him in his new position. Pichai wrote in the post: "Prabhakar feels this is a pivotal moment in his career to pursue new opportunities. In this new role, he will work closely with me and other Google leaders, providing technical direction and counsel, and helping to further grow our culture of technical excellence."

This personnel shift comes as Google is accelerating the restructuring of its artificial intelligence team. In recent years, Google has faced increasingly fierce competition in the AI field, and the company also needs to address multiple anti-trust lawsuits related to its search and advertising operations.

Fox has been a long-time core member of the team led by Raghavan. According to Pichai, Fox will take over Google's Knowledge and Information division, encompassing search, advertising, and commercial products. Fox has been with Google since 2003, and in recent years has served as Vice President of Product and Design for Google Assistant. Prior to this, he worked in the advertising business. Pichai mentioned in the post: "Over the last few years, Nick has played a crucial role in shaping Google's AI product roadmap and has worked closely with Prabhakar."

Raghavan has been leading Google's Knowledge and Information division since 2018. Earlier this year, he emphasized to employees the importance of preparing for the current market environment, stating that "the landscape today is vastly different from 15 or 20 years ago."

In addition to the personnel changes, Pichai also announced other significant adjustments:

• The team responsible for developing the Google Gemini application (which integrates Google's AI technology directly for consumers) will be merged into Google DeepMind, to be led by Demis Hassabis, the head of the AI business. Pichai stated: "By bringing the teams closer together, we will optimize feedback loops, ensuring our new models can be rapidly applied to Gemini."

• The Google Assistant team, focused on devices and home experiences, will be moved to the Platforms and Devices division, "so they are closer to the products they develop."

These changes indicate Google is actively adjusting its organizational structure to better compete in the AI field and accelerate its development strategy in this area.

Fox taking over as head of search and advertising signifies that Google will further increase its investment in AI and deeply integrate AI technology into its core business. Raghavan's appointment as Chief Technology Officer implies he will focus on providing long-term technical direction and guidance for Google, continuing to drive its technological advancements.

Google is facing intense challenges from competitors like Microsoft, and AI technology will be key to future competition. These personnel changes and strategic adjustments by Google will have a significant impact on its future development.