Investing.com -- Google (NASDAQ: GOOGL ) is introducing changes to its AI leadership, particularly in its consumer AI applications division, as the focus of the AI competition shifts towards the products built around the base models. This information comes from internal memos reviewed by Semafor.

Sissie Hsiao, who spearheaded Google’s AI chatbot project, Gemini, will be stepping down immediately. Her position will be filled by Josh Woodward (NASDAQ: WWD ), who currently leads Google Labs and was responsible for the launch of NotebookLM. NotebookLM is a popular Google tool that converts text into a podcast-like presentation.

Demis Hassabis, the CEO of Google DeepMind, shared in a memo to the staff that this change aims to "sharpen our focus on the next evolution of the Gemini app." He stated that Woodward will continue to lead Google Labs while also guiding the future development of Gemini.

Hsiao has plans to take a brief hiatus and will return to Google in a new role, calling Woodward’s appointment "chapter 2" in Gemini’s story.

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