Sundar Pichai: Five quotes on 25 years of Google, future of search and AI

When the CEO of Google and Alphabet writes a 2,400 word blog piece, obviously everyone sat up and took notice — so did I. If you’re not interested in reading Sundar Pichai’s blog on 25 years of Google, then I invite you to go through the following five quotes that reveal as much about the man himself as it does about Google’s current and future aspirations, especially in the realm of AI across all its products.

1) Sundar Pichai on his personal experiences with technology

“How I communicated with my dad all those years ago compared with how my son communicates today shows just how much change can happen across generations. Technology that takes us years to adapt to is second nature for our kids.”

This quote reflects Pichai’s personal connection with technology and how he has witnessed its evolution firsthand over the past three decades or more. It highlights the rapid pace of technological advancement and how different generations adapt differently to tech.

Also read: Satya Nadella retweets Microsoft President’s blueprint for India to govern AI

2) Google’s core mission and its impact on the world

“Larry and Sergey first wrote down our mission 25 years ago: to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. The idea that a student in rural Indonesia could access the same information as a professor at Stanford was revolutionary, and has changed lives and our world for the better.”

This passage in Pichai’s blog highlights Google’s commitment to making information universally accessible and underscores the transformative impact this mission has had globally in the past 25 years.

3) Google’s willingness to innovate and take risks

“Of course, not every question we asked ended up as a success. In any 25-year journey, you take a few lumps, learn the lessons and work to do better. Remember Google Wave?”

Here, Pichai acknowledges some of Google’s missteps, writing that not all of Google’s endeavors have been successful. Beyond Google Wave, I can think of Google Plus, Knol, Allo, Google Glass, and so many more examples, but who’s counting? Pichai writes that it showcases Google’s resilience, willingness to learn from mistakes, and constant commitment to innovation.

Also read: Intel’s Sandra Rivera on future of AI, data centers and India’s tech moment

4) Google’s commitment to responsible AI tech implementation

“As excited as we are about the potential of AI to benefit people and society, we understand that AI, like any early technology, poses complexities and risks. Our development and use of AI must address these risks, and help to develop the technology responsibly.”

Pichai underscores that Google’s ensuring that their technological advancements, especially in AI, are developed with a sense of responsibility and ethics, acknowledging the complex nature of challenges that come with it.

5) Google’s future aspirations and the transformative power of technology

“Still, there is so much more ahead. Over time, AI will be the biggest technological shift we see in our lifetimes. It’s a fundamental rewiring of technology and an incredible accelerant of human ingenuity. Making AI more helpful for everyone, and deploying it responsibly, is the most important way we’ll deliver on our mission for the next 10 years and beyond.”

This emphasises both Pichai’s and Google’s belief in the potential of AI and their commitment to harnessing it for the betterment of society while ensuring it aligns with their core mission.

At a time when Google’s supremacy in search is getting challenged stronger than ever, I think each of these quotes provides insights into the values, beliefs, and vision of Sundar Pichai and Google as a company as they chart their journey into the future.