After 14 years, Android Engineering VP Dave Burke steps down to pursue AI/bio projects within Alphabet, marking a new chapter in his career
Burke was involved in several significant initiatives, including the development of Chrome for mobile phones, the launch of Android TV, the construction of Nexus and Pixel phones, and the leadership of efforts to construct and distribute developer tools.
This occurred during a period in which Google had been restructuring its executive team amid redundancies this year.
The corporation terminated over one thousand employees in January, including most of its augmented reality hardware team. James Park and Eric Friedman, co-founders of Fitbit, resigned from their positions at the company.
In April, Google consolidated its hardware and Android teams to incorporate artificial intelligence into its products.
Hiroshi Lockheimer, previously responsible for Android, Chrome, and ChromeOS, began seeking alternative roles within the organization due to the company’s decision.
Directorship of the new division was assigned to Rick Osterloh, Senior Vice President of Devices and Services.
Sameer Samat, previously employed by Lockheimer, advanced to the position of president of Android Ecosystem.
Burke announced in a post on X that he would continue to act as an advisor while he searches for a new endeavor.
“After fourteen years of overseeing Android engineering, I have realized it is time for a change.”
It is a remarkable voyage that contributes to the development of the world’s most extensive operating system and a significant number of Nexus and Pixel devices. The opportunity is one for which I will be eternally grateful.
He declared that he would persist in his role as an advisor while assessing the subsequent course of action in biology and artificial intelligence.
Burke also sent a letter to his colleagues, subsequently published on LinkedIn.
In the letter, he expressed his intention to explore the potential of artificial intelligence in improving drug discovery.
“AI has the potential to play a pivotal role in accelerating drug discovery, with wide applicability, including in hard-to-treat pediatric cancers, a topic close to my heart. I’m working with Sundar to explore relevant roles at Alphabet,” he said.