“Pichai Highlights Google’s AI Focus Since 2016, Despite Missing Chatbot Trend”
Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai responded to a taunt from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, who had remarked about making Google ‘dance’ following Microsoft’s advancements in AI-powered innovation with the ‘new’ Bing.
During an interview with Emily Chang on The Circuit, Pichai emphasized his focused approach and reluctance to conform to external pressures, stating, “People tend to focus on this micro moment, but it is so small in the context of what’s ahead.” Pichai expressed confidence in Google’s prospects, asserting, “When I look at the opportunities ahead, across everything we do, I put a lot of chips, at least from my perspective, on Google.”
Nadella’s remark had sparked curiosity after he expressed his desire to see Google ‘dance’ in response to the launch of Microsoft’s latest Bing chatbot during a February 2023 interview with Verge. However, Pichai highlighted that Google has been prioritizing AI since 2016, despite missing the chatbot trend. He remained undeterred, stating, “We weren’t the first company to do search. We weren’t the first company to do email. We weren’t the first company to build a browser.” Pichai emphasized that Google is in the early stages of AI development, likening it to previous pioneering efforts by the company.
Addressing criticism over the Gemini incident, Pichai acknowledged the error and affirmed Google’s commitment to rectifying it. He assured that the feature would be re-released once it meets quality standards, anticipating its availability in a few weeks. Regarding his leadership style, Pichai refuted claims of being overly cautious and consensus-driven, stating, “I think the larger the company is, you are making fewer consequential decisions, but they need to be clear and you have to point the whole company to that.”
In response to recent controversies, including the dismissal of engineers protesting against a cloud contract with the Israeli government, Pichai emphasized the importance of maintaining focus on Google’s mission amidst challenges. He described the dismissals as a necessary response to unacceptable disruptions and reaffirmed his belief in the immense opportunities presented by AI, emphasizing the need for steadfast commitment to the company’s mission.
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