Google CEO Sundar Pichai has identified artificial intelligence (AI) as a huge opportunity for the tech giant, comparing its potential impact to the “successful transformation we made from desktop to mobile computing a decade ago.”
During an earnings call on Tuesday, Pichai also revealed the company’s plans to integrate generative AI tools into its search and cloud businesses, with Bard, Google’s AI chatbot launched in March, serving as an example of the technology’s potential applications.
Pichai acknowledged concerns about the possibility of generative AI tools spreading false information, stating that “billions of people trust Google to provide the right information.” He emphasized that the company is working hard to prevent such occurrences.
We know that billions of people trust Google to provide the right information,” he said.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai
Google had spent the previous quarter playing catch-up with competitors OpenAI and Microsoft, both of which had launched popular AI chatbots before Google. The company has been incorporating programming and software development tools into Bard since its launch weeks ago.
Google has been pushing forward with AI in recent years, with the technology being incorporated into a range of its products and services. AI-powered technologies, such as Google Assistant, are becoming increasingly popular, and the tech giant is poised to continue its efforts to innovate in this field.
To stay competitive in the generative AI space, Google has been investing heavily in this technology. In fact, the company has been focusing on AI development for years and has been using it to enhance its products and services.
During the earnings call, Pichai also discussed the company’s ongoing efforts to build sustainable data centers and reduce carbon emissions. He said that Google plans to make its data centers run on carbon-free energy by 2030, which is an ambitious goal considering that data centers are known for their high energy consumption.
In addition to its AI and sustainability efforts, Google has also been working on expanding its cloud business. The company has been signing up more customers for its cloud services and recently announced a partnership with Ford to provide cloud services for the automaker’s connected cars.
Despite Google’s strong performance in the first quarter, some analysts are concerned about the company’s antitrust challenges. Pichai acknowledged that the company is facing scrutiny, but said that Google is committed to working with regulators to address their concerns.
“We recognize that with our size comes responsibility, and we’re committed to meeting that responsibility,” he said. Overall, Google’s strong first-quarter results and its commitment to AI, sustainability, and cloud services suggest that the company is well-positioned for continued growth and success in the future.