Relay, an AI workflow automation tool, is shutting down, with its founder joining Google Chrome as VP of Product to enhance AI integration.
Washington DC, United States Aug 18, 2026 ALN: Relay, an AI-powered workflow automation tool that was launched in 2021 with the goal of becoming the new Zapier, is shutting down, and some of its staff — including its top executive — are joining Google’s Chrome team.
Jacob Bank, Relay’s founder and CEO, shared a company announcement Monday that reveals the app will be shutting down access for paying customers on September 14. Free customers would have already lost access as of August 15. The app’s closure was initially announced in July.
Bank, who previously spent a little over six years at Google, revealed that he would now be rejoining the tech giant as VP of Product for Google Chrome, where he will lead the product and developer relations teams for Chrome, according to his LinkedIn.
“I’ve spent my whole career doing one thing: building tools that help people get more done with AI, without sacrificing their personal creativity or insights,” said Bank in a post on X. “And joining the Chrome team is an ideal opportunity to bring those experiences to many, many more people.”
“We have some really ambitious plans to help you work with AI in Chrome to get things done, and I’ll have more to share soon,” he added.
Bank originally joined Google in 2015 after his previous startup, a scheduling app called Timeful, was acquired by the search giant. At Google, he worked in a number of different areas, including as product lead for Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Chat, before eventually leaving to launch Relay.
Similar to Timeful, Relay offered users productivity upgrades via workflow automation, allowing businesses to streamline repetitive tasks like document drafting and copyediting, as well as various project management tasks.
Just how Bank and others plan to further integrate AI into Chrome is a hanging question, though Bank calls Chrome “a perfect place to collaborate with agents.”
The move follows a steady path of AI integration into Google’s user experience. The integration of Gemini into search has fundamentally altered Google’s front end — not to mention the rest of the internet. Gemini has also been integrated into Chrome, where it serves as an optional in-browser assistant.
Overall, users seem to be responding well to these integrations, as Google recently reported that Gemini had crested 1 billion users.
The closure of Relay highlights a significant trend in the technology sector, particularly in the realm of startups focused on AI and automation. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a surge in demand for tools that enhance productivity and streamline workflows. As businesses increasingly look to automate repetitive tasks, the competition among startups in this space has intensified. Relay, which sought to position itself as a direct competitor to established players like Zapier, faced the challenge of differentiating itself in a crowded market.
Despite its innovative approach and the promise of AI-driven automation, Relay struggled to gain the necessary traction to sustain its operations. The decision to shut down reflects not only the difficulties faced by individual startups but also the broader challenges within the tech industry, where funding and market conditions can shift rapidly. Investors are becoming more selective, and the pressure to demonstrate profitability has never been greater.
Jacob Bank's transition back to Google is indicative of a common pathway for tech entrepreneurs who find it difficult to scale their startups. Many former founders return to larger tech companies, where they can leverage their experience and skills in a more stable environment. At Google, Bank will be able to tap into substantial resources and a vast user base, potentially allowing him to implement his vision for AI in a more impactful way.
The integration of AI into products like Google Chrome represents a strategic move for the company, as it aims to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. With competitors like Microsoft aggressively incorporating AI into their products, Google’s efforts to enhance Chrome with AI capabilities are crucial for maintaining its market share. The potential for AI to revolutionize user experiences, from personalized recommendations to improved productivity tools, reflects a broader trend in the tech industry where AI is increasingly seen as a key driver of innovation.
As Bank prepares to lead the Chrome product and developer relations teams, users may anticipate new features that leverage AI to enhance their browsing experience. The promise of using AI to facilitate collaboration and streamline tasks in Chrome could open up new possibilities for users, particularly in the context of remote work and online collaboration, which have become more prevalent in recent years.
The implications of Relay's shutdown and Bank's new role at Google extend beyond individual careers and companies; they reflect broader shifts in the tech landscape. As AI continues to evolve and become more integrated into everyday tools, the demand for effective automation solutions is likely to persist. The future of work may increasingly rely on these technologies to enhance productivity and creativity, making the role of companies like Google and their initiatives in AI all the more critical.
In summary, the closure of Relay serves as a reminder of the volatile nature of the tech startup ecosystem, while also highlighting the ongoing integration of AI into major platforms like Google Chrome. As Jacob Bank embarks on this new chapter, the tech community will be watching closely to see how his experiences and insights will shape the future of AI in one of the world's most widely used web browsers.
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