Outcome of AI neither guaranteed, nor automatic: Google CEO Sundar Pichai

Google CEO Sundar Pichai said the world must come together to pursue artificial intelligence (AI) boldly and responsibly, as the technology's positive outcomes will not be automatic.

"No technology has me dreaming bigger than AI. It is the biggest platform shift of our lifetimes. We are on the cusp of hyper progress and new discoveries that can help emerging economies leapfrog legacy gaps. But that outcome is neither guaranteed nor automatic," Pichai said during his keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. "We can't allow digital divide to be AI divide, that means investing in computing infrastructure and connectivity," Pichai said.

Pichai said AI will undeniably reshape the workforce, automating some roles, evolving others and creating entirely new careers. 20 years ago, the concept of a professional YouTube creator didn't exist and today there are millions around the world.


Highlighting AI’s transformative potential, Pichai pointed to how deep scientific breakthroughs are being accelerated by advances in machine learning. “For 50 years, predicting protein structures was a grand challenge, a blind spot that stalled drug discovery. Demis Hassabis and his team at Google DeepMind asked an audacious question — how could we use AI to solve this? That question led to AlphaFold,” he said.

“This breakthrough didn’t just win global recognition, it compressed decades of research into a database that is now open to the world. Today, over 3 million researchers in more than 190 countries are using it to develop malaria vaccines, fight antibiotic resistance, and much more,” Pichai added.

Pichai also said it is remarkable to see Visakhapatnam, where Google has made a major investment, transform into a major centre for AI as part of Google's long-term investment in India.

"I remember Vizag being a quiet and modest coastal city brimming with potential. Now in that same city, Google is establishing a full-stack AI hub, part of our $15 billion infrastructure investment in India. When finished, this hub will house gigawatt-scale compute and a new international subsea cable gateway, bringing jobs and cutting-edge AI to people and businesses across India. Sitting on the train, I never imagined Vizag becoming a global AI hub," he said.

Emphasising trust and governance, he said governments must act both as regulators and innovators to ensure AI benefits society at scale, while companies must build products that enhance knowledge, creativity and productivity.

"We have the opportunity to improve lives at a once-in-a-generation scale. I know we have the capability to do this. And looking at the leaders here today, I believe we also have the bill now. We must do the work together," Pichai said.

Pichai said AI can improve billions of lives and solve some of the hardest problems in science.