Mr Pichai also responded to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella’s earlier comment that Google should have been the “default winner” in the AI race.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai has shared ambitious plans for a transformative upgrade to the company’s search engine in 2025. Speaking at the New York Times DealBook Summit, he stated, “I think we are going to be able to tackle more complex questions than ever before.” He further added, “You’ll be surprised, even early in 2025, at the kind of new capabilities Search will offer compared to today.”
In response to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella’s earlier assertion that Google should have been the “default winner” in the AI race, Pichai delivered a sharp retort. He suggested a “side-by-side comparison” of Google and Microsoft’s AI models, pointing out that Microsoft depends on “someone else’s models,” a reference to its collaboration with OpenAI, as reported by The Verge.
Reflecting on the rapid advancements in AI, Pichai remarked, “We are in the earliest stages of a profound shift. There’s so much innovation ahead, and we are committed to staying at the forefront of this field.”
Google has already started incorporating AI-driven features into its search platform, including AI-generated summaries and an enhanced Lens tool for video-based searches. Additionally, the company is preparing to roll out a significant update to its Gemini AI model to better compete with rivals such as Microsoft, OpenAI, and the AI search engine Perplexity.
In a separate interview on Bloomberg’s The David Rubenstein Show, Pichai shared insights into Google’s culture of fostering creativity through communal experiences, like its renowned free meal policy. Dismissing the notion that these meals are mere perks, he explained, “I can recall several times, early on at Google, being in cafes, meeting someone, talking, and getting excited about something. It sparks creativity.”
He emphasized that this practice is more than just a workplace benefit; it’s a strategic investment in innovation and collaboration. “The benefit that comes out of it dwarfs the cost,” Pichai said, noting how these informal gatherings often lead to some of the company’s brightest ideas.
