News Google’s NotebookLM leader is taking over as head of the Gemini app

[News]

Sissie Hsaio, the Google exec who oversaw the launch of the company’s AI chatbot, is stepping down as head of the Gemini app, according to a report from Semafor. A memo seen by the outlet reveals that Google Labs vice president Josh Woodward will take her place.

In the memo, Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis said the move will “sharpen our focus on the next evolution of the Gemini app,” reports Semafor. Google spokesperson Alex Joseph confirmed Semafor’s reporting but declined to comment.

Hsaio has worked at Google for nearly 20 years, first joining the company in 2006 as a product manager for Search and Docs. Google appointed Hsaio as the head of Gemini apps in 2021, where she most notably helped launch the company’s answer to ChatGPT, originally called Bard. Hsaio’s memo said she will take a “short break” coming back to Google in a new position, Semafor reports.

As noted by Semafor, Woodward will remain the head of Google Labs “while shaping the next chapter of Gemini.” Woodward helped develop NotebookLM, Google’s AI-powered note-taking app, which features an Audio Overview tool that transforms research into a podcast with two AI “hosts.” Google has since brought NotebookLM to its One AI Premium subscription and now lets users make AI podcasts from Gemini’s Deep Research, too.