Tag: SundarPichai

Categories
Technology

Google’s Gemini surges to 950 mn monthly users

Google has delivered a strong statement in the global artificial intelligence race, with CEO Sundar Pichai announcing that Gemini now has 950 million monthly active users. The milestone, revealed during Alphabet’s second-quarter 2026 earnings call, underscores how rapidly Google’s AI chatbot has grown and positions it among the world’s most widely used AI platforms.

The announcement comes amid intense competition in generative AI, where companies including OpenAI, Meta and Anthropic are racing to attract users and launch more capable AI models. It also follows comments attributed to Meta’s Chief AI Officer Alexandr Wang, who reportedly questioned Gemini’s popularity. While Pichai did not respond directly, the latest user figures have become Google’s strongest answer to such criticism.

According to Pichai, Gemini’s daily active users have tripled over the past year, reflecting rising adoption among both consumers and businesses. He said Google’s continued investments in AI research, infrastructure and product integration have helped Gemini reach users at an unprecedented pace.

Unlike standalone AI chatbots, Gemini is deeply embedded across Google’s ecosystem. It powers AI features in Search, Gmail, Google Docs, Android, Chrome and Workspace, enabling users to draft emails, summarise documents, answer complex questions, generate code and complete everyday tasks more efficiently. This broad integration has played a key role in accelerating user adoption.

Google has also expanded Gemini’s presence in enterprise software through Google Cloud, where businesses are increasingly using the AI assistant to automate workflows, improve customer service, analyse data and assist software development. As more organisations embrace artificial intelligence, enterprise demand has become an important growth driver for Gemini.

Pichai said Google’s advantage lies in its ability to combine cutting-edge AI models with its own cloud infrastructure, custom-built AI chips and billions of existing users across its products. This “full-stack” strategy allows the company to roll out new AI capabilities at scale while continuously improving performance and reliability.

The strong momentum in AI was reflected in Alphabet’s latest financial results. The company reported robust second-quarter revenue growth, driven by continued strength in Search, Cloud and AI-powered services. Google Cloud emerged as one of the fastest-growing businesses, benefiting from rising enterprise demand for AI infrastructure and generative AI tools.

Gemini’s rapid growth also highlights how the AI landscape has evolved over the past two years. When OpenAI launched ChatGPT, many industry observers believed Google had fallen behind despite years of AI research. Since then, Google has accelerated development of Gemini, introduced more advanced AI models and integrated them across nearly every major product.

The competition, however, remains intense. OpenAI continues to expand ChatGPT’s capabilities, while Meta is investing billions of dollars to strengthen its AI ecosystem. Anthropic and several other AI companies are also introducing increasingly sophisticated models, making innovation and user engagement key battlegrounds.

Rather than focusing only on benchmark scores, technology companies are now measuring success through real-world adoption and everyday usage. In that context, reaching 950 million monthly active users marks a significant achievement for Google and demonstrates that Gemini has become a mainstream AI assistant used across work, education and personal productivity.

Industry experts believe the next phase of competition will depend not only on building smarter AI models but also on making them more useful, accessible and seamlessly integrated into people’s daily lives. Google’s strategy of embedding Gemini across its products appears to be paying off, helping millions of users interact with AI without needing a separate application.

With Gemini now closing in on the one-billion-user milestone, Google has strengthened its position in the global AI race. For Sundar Pichai, the latest figures serve as clear evidence that the company’s long-term investments in artificial intelligence are translating into rapid user growth and expanding influence in one of the technology industry’s most competitive sectors.

Also Read: Gold at ₹142,920, Silver falls to ₹218,630

Categories
Leaders

Students shouldn’t fear AI, says Sundar Pichai

Google CEO Sundar Pichai has said that concerns and anxiety around artificial intelligence (AI) are “understandable,” but he believes students and young professionals will ultimately benefit from the technology as it creates new opportunities and industries.

Speaking in a recent address, Pichai responded to growing global debate about AI’s impact on jobs, especially among students who fear automation could replace entry-level roles. He acknowledged that such concerns are natural during major technological shifts but emphasized that history shows technology tends to transform work rather than eliminate it.

Pichai said AI is expected to reshape almost every industry, including education, healthcare, engineering, and creative fields. While some traditional tasks may become automated, he stressed that new categories of jobs will emerge that require different skills, particularly in AI development, data systems, problem-solving, and human-AI collaboration.

He also pointed out that students today are in a strong position to adapt, as they are already exposed to digital tools and AI-based learning systems. According to him, those who learn how to use AI effectively will have an advantage in the future job market.

Addressing reactions from younger audiences, including skepticism and resistance toward AI, Pichai suggested that initial fear often comes with transformative technologies. However, he noted that innovation cycles typically open up more opportunities than they close.

The Google CEO encouraged students to focus on learning adaptability, critical thinking, and technical skills rather than fearing automation. He said AI should be viewed as a tool that enhances human capability rather than replaces it entirely.

Also Read: Huawei reveals new strategy for advanced chips

Categories
Leaders

Sundar Pichai to address Stanford graduates

Stanford University has announced that Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, will deliver the 135th Commencement address on June 14, 2026, at Stanford Stadium. A Stanford alumnus, Pichai earned his master’s degree in materials science and engineering in 1995 and described returning to his alma mater as a “privilege” and an honor.

This will be Pichai’s first in-person Stanford commencement speech. He previously addressed the Class of 2020 virtually amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Stanford praised him as a thoughtful leader whose career demonstrates how technology can improve lives and transform society.

Born and raised in Chennai, India, Pichai joined Google in 2004. He played a key role in the development of Google Chrome and other products before becoming CEO of Google in 2015 and CEO of Alphabet in 2019. Under his leadership, the company has expanded into artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and autonomous technology, solidifying its place as a global tech leader.

Stanford’s president and student leaders welcomed Pichai’s selection, highlighting his journey from graduate student to head of one of the world’s most influential tech companies as a powerful example for new graduates. His story underscores the impact of education, innovation, and perseverance, offering inspiration to those about to embark on their professional journeys.

The university also noted that Pichai’s return highlights the strong bond between Stanford and its alumni network, many of whom have become global leaders in technology, business, and research.

Also Read: FDA clears new daily weight-loss pill ‘Foundayo’

Categories
Leaders

Sundar Pichai’s pay package may reach $630 mn

Google CEO Sundar Pichai could earn as much as $692 million over the next three years after parent company Alphabet Inc. approved a new compensation package linked largely to company performance.

The pay package places Pichai among the highest-paid executives in the global technology industry. However, most of the amount is not a fixed salary. Instead, it comes in the form of stock awards that depend on how well the company performs in the coming years.

Pichai’s base salary will remain $2 million per year, which is relatively modest compared to the overall compensation. The bulk of the package will come through performance-based shares that could increase in value if Alphabet continues to grow.

Reports say the deal includes performance stock units worth around $126 million, which could rise to about $252 million if the company significantly outperforms other large firms in the S&P 100 index. In addition, he will receive restricted stock worth about $84 million, which will be granted gradually over three years as long as he remains with the company.

The company has also linked part of the incentives to the growth of some of its future-focused businesses. These include self-driving car project Waymo and drone delivery service Wing. If these businesses perform well, Pichai could receive additional stock rewards.

Alphabet’s board said the compensation structure is meant to reward long-term leadership and align the CEO’s pay with the company’s success. In other words, Pichai will benefit the most only if the company performs strongly in the coming years.

Pichai has led Google since 2015 and became CEO of Alphabet in 2019. Under his leadership, the company has expanded rapidly in areas such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, hardware and digital services.

Also Read: Pakistan rejects JPMorgan bid for Roosevelt Hotel

Categories
Corporate

Sundar Pichai announces $15-bn AI investment for India

Google CEO Sundar Pichai on Friday announced a $15-billion investment to expand artificial intelligence infrastructure and capabilities in India, saying the country has the potential to become a major global hub for AI.

Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit, Pichai described AI as the most important technological shift of our time and said it can bring large-scale changes in sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture and scientific research.

A major part of Google’s plan includes building strong digital infrastructure, improving compute capacity and supporting a full-stack AI ecosystem in the country. He also highlighted the need to train students, developers and professionals so that India’s workforce is ready for the AI era.

Pichai said India’s digital public platforms, large pool of tech talent and fast-growing startup ecosystem give it a unique advantage in the global AI race. He praised efforts to develop AI models that work in Indian languages and understand local needs, calling them essential for making the technology useful for millions of people.

At the same time, he cautioned that the benefits of AI will not come automatically. According to him, governments, companies and academic institutions must work together to ensure the technology is developed and used responsibly. He stressed that AI should reduce inequality, not increase it, and must be accessible and affordable to all.

Pichai also pointed to scientific breakthroughs powered by AI, such as AlphaFold, to show how the technology can help solve complex global challenges.

On the sidelines of the event, Pichai was seen tasting Indian GI-tagged coffee, reacting with a cheerful “wow”, a moment that quickly went viral on social media.

Also Read: AI key to India’s sovereignty, says Jeet Adani