Google DeepMind appoints Bridgewater AI head Jasjeet Sekhon as Chief Strategy Officer

Google DeepMind has appointed Jasjeet Sekhon, a prominent data scientist, as its new Chief Strategy Officer (CSO). Sekhon will oversee the company’s research initiatives, commercialization efforts, and policy development, marking a significant shift in leadership. This announcement was made by DeepMind's CEO, Demis Hassabis, through a LinkedIn post on March 18. Previously serving as the chief scientist and head of AI at Bridgewater Associates, Sekhon will maintain a connection with his former company by remaining on its board of directors. Hassabis praised Sekhon’s extensive experience, stating, "Jas is uniquely experienced for this role, having served as Chief Scientist and Head of AI at Bridgewater Associates, where he now joins the board." He expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Sekhon to propel DeepMind's mission at a pivotal moment in AI development. In his own remarks, Sekhon echoed Hassabis's excitement about the new role, emphasizing the transformative potential of artificial general intelligence (AGI). He stated, "AGI will be a world-changing technology without precedent, accelerating science, medicine, and human productivity in profound ways." He believes that Google DeepMind is the leading research lab best equipped to develop AGI in a way that prioritizes human empowerment. Since 2018, Sekhon has been instrumental in establishing Bridgewater’s AIA Labs, an initiative focused on AI research and investment. His impressive academic background includes positions at Yale University, the University of California, Berkeley, and Harvard University. This executive appointment comes at a time of heightened competition in the AI sector, with major players like OpenAI and Anthropic making significant strides. In response, Google DeepMind has launched advanced AI models such as the Gemini 3 series and Gemini Enterprise, alongside innovations like the AlphaFold 3 model, which enhances biomolecular predictions and accelerates drug discovery.