Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google, has asserted that artificial intelligence (AI) will emerge as the most transformative technological advancement in human history, potentially eclipsing the internet’s influence. Pichai, in a comprehensive 2,400-word memo released ahead of Google’s 25th-anniversary celebration, has expressed his profound conviction in the profound impact of AI.
In his blog post, Pichai stated, “Over time, AI will be the biggest technological shift we see in our lifetimes. It’s bigger than the shift from desktop computing to mobile, and it may be bigger than the internet itself. It’s a fundamental rewiring of technology and an incredible accelerant of human ingenuity.”
Furthermore, Pichai emphasized the significance of responsible AI deployment and making AI more accessible to a broader audience. He articulated, “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.”
Google has been at the forefront of AI development, notably with the acquisition of DeepMind in 2014, a pioneering AI research lab. However, the emergence of OpenAI’s ChatGPT last year prompted Google to expedite the release of its generative AI-based chatbot called Bard.
Pichai acknowledged the multifaceted challenges and potential risks associated with AI technology. He remarked, “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 develop the technology responsibly.”
In a lighter note, Pichai shared his first email exchange with his father during his studies in the United States. The humorous exchange featured a delayed response from his father’s workplace, where the email had to be printed and delivered physically before a response was dictated and sent back via email.
