Google to Combine Android and Chrome Division with Hardware Division for AI Integration

Google announced on Thursday a major organizational restructuring by combining the software division responsible for Android mobile software and the Chrome browser with the hardware division known for Pixel smartphones and Fitbit wearables. This move is aimed at integrating artificial intelligence (AI) more widely throughout the company and accelerating innovation.

According to a letter to employees from Google CEO Sundar Pichai, the reorganization aims to “turbocharge the Android and Chrome ecosystems” while spurring innovation. The decision will place both operations under the oversight of Rick Osterloh, a Google executive with a history of leading the company's hardware group. This marks a significant shift from Google's previous strategy of keeping Android development separate from the hardware division to avoid providing unfair advantages to phone designers using the Android platform.

Focus on AI-Driven Features

In a recent interview with The Verge, Osterloh emphasized that AI is the primary driver behind the integration of Google's consumer hardware and software engineers. He highlighted the growing dependence on AI in phone technology, citing the development of the Pixel camera as an example. Osterloh explained that AI hardware and software integration has proven critical for features such as enhancing nighttime photos and selecting the best shots from a series of closely timed shots.

Chirag Dekate, an analyst with Gartner, commented on Google's strategic shift, stating, “Google wants to dominate the AI, the commanding heights of the emerging AI economy, both on the consumer side as well as on the enterprise side, essentially by infusing AI everywhere and by connecting it.” This reflects Google's efforts to propel core AI innovation engines to transform user experiences.

Hiroshi Lockheimer, the chief of Google's software division, will be transitioning to new projects as part of the reorganization. Meanwhile, Google is also restructuring its AI research and responsibility groups, signaling a broader realignment within the company.