Google has appointed Jacob Bank as the new Vice President of Product for Chrome. Bank, who previously spent six years at Google, brings a wealth of experience in product management and artificial intelligence to his new role.
In 2015, Google acquired Timeful, a smart calendar assistant co-founded by Bank. Features from Timeful were integrated into Google Calendar and Gmail, enhancing user productivity. During his tenure at Google, Bank led the development of AI-driven features such as Smart Reply, Smart Compose, and Nudging in Gmail. He also contributed to strengthening Gmail’s security by implementing AI-based anti-malware and anti-phishing measures. Bank’s progression at Google saw him rise from Product Manager to Director of Product Management for Gmail, Calendar, and Chat.
In 2021, Bank left Google to establish Relay.app, a workflow automation platform. Despite its closure in August 2026, several members of the Relay.app team have now joined the Chrome division at Google.
Expressing enthusiasm about his return, Bank highlighted plans to integrate AI more deeply into Chrome to enhance user productivity. He emphasized that Chrome serves as a primary workspace for many users, making it an ideal platform for AI collaboration.
Google has been progressively incorporating AI into Chrome. The introduction of Gemini in Chrome allows users to interact with an AI assistant directly within the browser. Additionally, the ‘auto browse’ feature enables the AI to perform multi-step tasks on behalf of users, streamlining workflows and improving efficiency.
Bank’s appointment signals Google’s commitment to advancing Chrome’s capabilities through AI integration. As the browser continues to evolve, users can anticipate more intelligent features designed to enhance their browsing experience and productivity.
