What was Relay, and why is it shutting down?

Relay was an AI-driven startup focused on automating workflows. The company is shutting down as its team, including founder Jacob Bank, joins Google to work on AI integration in Chrome.

What role will Jacob Bank play at Google?

Jacob Bank will serve as Vice President of Product at Google Chrome, overseeing the development of AI tools for the browser.

How will AI be integrated into Google Chrome?

Google is already embedding AI into Chrome via the Gemini assistant, which helps users perform tasks directly in the browser. Bank’s plans aim to expand these capabilities further.

← All news

Artificial intelligence

Relay Startup Shuts Down: Team Joins Google Chrome

August 17, 2026

Photo: TechCrunch

Quick answer

AI automation startup Relay shuts down as founder Jacob Bank and part of the team transition to Google Chrome to develop AI-powered tools for the browser.

AI automation startup Relay, launched in 2021 as a competitor to Zapier, has announced its shutdown. Founder and CEO Jacob Bank confirmed that paid user access will be disabled on September 14, while free accounts were already blocked on August 15. The project’s closure was announced in July.

Bank, who previously worked at Google for over six years, is returning to the company as Vice President of Product for the Chrome team. His responsibilities will include leading product strategy and developer relations. In a post on X*, he noted that Chrome will become a key platform for deploying AI tools that help users automate routine tasks without sacrificing creative control.

Relay offered workflow automation solutions, including document editing and project management. Google now plans to develop similar features in Chrome, leveraging the Relay team’s expertise. The company is already actively integrating AI, with the Gemini assistant embedded in search and the browser, now used by over 1 billion people.

Google has not yet disclosed further plans for AI development in Chrome, but Bank described the browser as the "ideal platform for interacting with AI agents." This move aligns with Google’s broader strategy of deeply integrating artificial intelligence into its products.

Common questions

What was Relay, and why is it shutting down?: Relay was an AI-driven startup focused on automating workflows. The company is shutting down as its team, including founder Jacob Bank, joins Google to work on AI integration in Chrome.
What role will Jacob Bank play at Google?: Jacob Bank will serve as Vice President of Product at Google Chrome, overseeing the development of AI tools for the browser.
How will AI be integrated into Google Chrome?: Google is already embedding AI into Chrome via the Gemini assistant, which helps users perform tasks directly in the browser. Bank’s plans aim to expand these capabilities further.

Dzen feed: /feed/dzen.xml · RSS: /feed.xml