Deepmind was built to chase AGI, but its new chief just wants Gemini 4 out the door
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Koray Kavukcuoglu, the new head of Google Deepmind, is prioritizing the rapid release of Gemini 4 over the pursuit of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). He aims to launch an early post-training version of the model well before the end of 2026, emphasizing reliable intelligent agents rather than debating AGI milestones. This strategic shift follows a period where Google's flagship models lagged behind competitors like OpenAI and Anthropic. Under Kavukcuoglu, Deepmind has transformed from an independent research lab into a product-focused unit centered on commercial AI development. The transition coincides with significant leadership changes, including Demis Hassabis stepping down as CEO to focus on his role as Alphabet’s chief scientist. Concurrently, the organization faces a notable talent drain, with several key researchers leaving for rival firms. Despite these challenges, Kavukcuoglu remains confident in his team's ability to maintain technological leadership. The restructuring marks a definitive end to Deepmind's era as an autonomous entity within Google.
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