Google policy boss to tackle AI, antitrust

Alphabet Inc.’s Google announced Thursday it tapped General Electric Co. global affairs chief Karan Bhatia to become its next head of policy.

Google wants Bhatia to craft the search giant’s public policy strategy on a wide range of issues including artificial intelligence, job creation and critical infrastructure. His first focus will be dealing with a regulatory backlash that includes antitrust investigations and new digital privacy rules.

Bhatia’s position has been vacant since last September, when Caroline Atkinson, a former Obama official, stepped down.

Google sought candidates from both major political parties to fill it, including Jake Sullivan, a Democratic operative, Bloomberg has reported.

“We’re thrilled to hire someone with Karan’s impressive experience in global policy,” Kent Walker, Google’s senior vice president of global affairs and chief legal officer, said in a statement. “He’s a widely respected leader who will work with our teams to advocate for policies that encourage growth and innovation.”

“This is an incredible opportunity to join such an exciting company in a fast-moving industry,” Bhatia said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to contributing across a range of products that people use every day, and to important policy debates.”