Josh Woodward, Head of Google Labs, Takes Charge of Gemini App

Google is replacing the leadership of its Gemini AI chatbot as the tech giant attempts to gain ground against OpenAI's dominant ChatGPT. Josh Woodward, who currently heads Google's product incubator Labs division, will now also lead the Gemini team, Google confirmed Wednesday.

Key Points:

• Google Labs VP Josh Woodward is taking over Gemini from Sissie Hsiao
• Gemini currently attracts roughly one-tenth of ChatGPT's web traffic
• Woodward will retain his Google Labs role while leading Gemini

Despite recent technical advances with its Gemini 2.5 model, which topped several AI benchmarks last week, Google's chatbot continues to struggle with consumer adoption. According to analytics firm Similarweb, Gemini attracts roughly one-tenth of ChatGPT's web traffic.

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Woodward replaces Sissie Hsiao, a 19-year Google veteran who oversaw the chatbot's launch and early development. In internal memos, Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis described the change as an effort to "sharpen our focus on the next evolution of the Gemini app." Hsiao will take a "short break" before returning to Google in a different role.

Woodward's Google Labs has established a track record of experimental AI applications that have resonated with users, most notably NotebookLM — an AI-powered note-taking app that can transform research into podcast-like conversations.

The Labs division under Woodward has created several promising AI products beyond NotebookLM, including AI Studio for developers and Project Mariner, an unreleased agent that can navigate web browsers and complete tasks autonomously.

By keeping Woodward in his Google Labs role while adding Gemini responsibilities, Google appears to be betting that the experimental, rapid-prototyping culture of Labs can help transform Gemini into a more compelling consumer product. For Google, which pioneered much of the underlying technology that powers today's AI boom, turning their technical advantages into market leadership will require exactly the kind of product-focused approach this leadership change suggests.