Relay closes as Google gains AI workflow talent

Relay, an AI-powered workflow automation startup launched in 2021, is shutting down, while founder and CEO Jacob Bank and some employees are moving to Google’s Chrome team.

The company had positioned itself as a productivity automation tool in the spirit of Zapier: a service that helps connect apps and automate repetitive work. Relay focused on AI-assisted business workflows, including document drafting, copyediting, and project management tasks.

According to Bank’s company announcement, Relay’s shutdown was first disclosed in July. Free users lost access on August 15, and paying customers will lose access on September 14. TechCrunch reported that Bank and some staff members are joining Google Chrome.

Bank’s return to Google

Bank has a long history with Google. He joined the company in 2015 after Google acquired Timeful, his earlier scheduling app. During more than six years at Google, he worked across several productivity products, including Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Chat, before leaving to start Relay.

He is now rejoining Google as VP of Product for Google Chrome. According to his LinkedIn profile, he will lead Chrome’s product and developer relations teams. In a post on X, Bank said his career has centered on building tools that help people get more done with AI without giving up personal creativity or judgment.

The important point is that Relay is not being described as continuing as a standalone service. The product is closing, while part of the team’s experience in AI productivity and automation is being absorbed into Google’s browser organization.

Why Chrome matters for AI agents

Bank called Chrome “a perfect place to collaborate with agents.” In this context, an AI agent generally means software that can understand a goal, use tools, and carry out multi-step tasks on behalf of a user.

A browser is a natural place for this kind of work because it sits between users and the web services they rely on every day: search, documents, email, calendars, developer tools, and SaaS applications. Google has already been weaving AI into its user-facing products. Gemini has changed the search experience, and it has also been integrated into Chrome as an optional in-browser assistant. Google recently said Gemini had passed 1 billion users.

Relay’s background suggests why its team could be useful to Chrome. Workflow automation is not just about answering questions; it is about helping users complete tasks across apps and web pages. Still, Google and Relay have not disclosed specific upcoming Chrome features, so the practical form of this integration remains unclear.

Key facts include:

• 2021: Relay launched as an AI workflow automation tool;
• July: the shutdown plan was announced;
• August 15: free user access ended;
• September 14: paying customer access is scheduled to end;
• Afterward: Bank and some employees join Google Chrome.

A sign of platform consolidation

Relay’s shutdown highlights a broader shift in AI automation. Startups can move quickly and explore new workflows, but large platforms control the main user entry points. When AI features are built into browsers, search engines, email, and calendars, distribution can become a decisive advantage.

For users, the next phase of AI in Chrome may be less about a chatbot in a sidebar and more about task completion inside the browser. For the industry, Relay’s closure does not signal the end of AI automation. It suggests the market is moving from standalone productivity tools toward deeper integration inside major software platforms.