Relay shuts down as founder and staff transition to Google Chrome team

Relay, an artificial intelligence-powered workflow automation platform launched in 2021, is ceasing operations. The service will halt access for paying customers on September 14, with free users having lost access earlier in August. Jacob Bank, the company's founder and chief executive, announced the closure while revealing his transition to Google, where he will assume the role of vice president of product for Chrome, overseeing product strategy and developer relations. Bank, who previously founded Timeful, a scheduling application acquired by Google in 2015, had spent over six years at the search giant before establishing Relay. His experience at Google included leadership positions in Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Chat. He has now returned to the company to guide Chrome's integration of artificial intelligence capabilities, positioning the browser as an ideal platform for AI-powered workflows and agent collaboration. The shutdown reflects a broader pattern within Google of deepening AI integration across its product ecosystem, following similar implementations in Google Search and Gmail. Bank's appointment signals the company's commitment to expanding AI functionality within Chrome, with further announcements expected in the coming months.