Google is making its biggest AI leadership change in years. The company shakes up AI leadership and still maintains upbeat memos. On Wednesday, Google shakes up AI leadership, announcing that Demis Hassabis would step down as CEO of Google DeepMind to become chairman of the unit and chief scientist for parent company Alphabet. Jeff Dean, Google’s chief scientist and a 27-year veteran, said he is leaving to start a new company with three other senior Google AI colleagues. Losing both Hassabis and Dean also removes two of the most respected figures in Google’s AI history.