AI automation startup Relay shuts down, staff joins Google’s Chrome team

Relay, an AI automation startup, is shutting down, and its staff is joining Google’s Chrome team. Founder and CEO Jacob Bank said Google has ambitious plans to help users work with AI in Chrome to get things done, with more details expected soon.

The move suggests Google is accelerating efforts to embed agentic automation directly into Chrome, turning the browser into a more active productivity layer. It also reflects a broader trend of major platforms absorbing small AI teams to strengthen consumer-facing workflows.