AI Is Going to Be Bigger Than the Internet — By Sundar Pichai
Author: UpdatesOfAI.com
Source: Based on Sundar Pichai’s interview on Decoder by The Verge, May 2025.
Image source: Screenshot from YouTube – used under fair use for commentary and educational purposes.
In a candid conversation with Verge’s Nilay Patel, Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai shared a vision that was as bold as it was grounded: “AI is going to be bigger than the internet.” This isn’t just a lofty prediction—it’s a reflection of the seismic technological shift already underway.
In this wide-ranging discussion, Pichai talked about the scale of change AI is bringing, how Google is adapting internally, the importance of responsible deployment, and why humanity is still very early in its AI journey. Here’s how he sees it.
"This is the most profound technology humanity will work on"
Sundar Pichai didn’t mince words when describing the significance of artificial intelligence:
“I’ve said AI is the most profound technology humanity is working on—more profound than fire or electricity or the internet.”
To him, AI isn’t just another wave of innovation—it’s a foundational shift. He likens it to electricity in how it can be applied to every industry, every product, and every experience. From health care to climate change, education to productivity, AI has the potential to touch every aspect of our lives.
“AI will touch every sector. I see it already in health care. I see it in education. I see it in how we understand climate science. We are developing deeper insights into how proteins fold—something that used to take years, and AI is doing it in minutes.”
Google’s Approach: Bold and Responsible
At the center of this AI shift is Google itself. The company has moved fast, integrating AI into Search, Docs, Gmail, and Android. But with scale comes responsibility.
Pichai emphasized:
“AI is too important not to regulate. You want a framework that allows for innovation, but puts safety at the center.”
That’s why Google has been vocal about AI safety and governance. It’s why they published their AI Principles early on and made commitments around watermarking and content responsibility.
Yet, there’s also a need for speed. In a fast-evolving ecosystem, companies that don’t move quickly risk falling behind.
“You cannot be paralyzed by the risks. You have to find a way to embrace innovation and responsibility simultaneously.”
Search Is Evolving, Not Ending
A common concern with AI tools like chatbots and assistants is whether they’ll replace traditional search. For Google, the answer is evolution, not elimination.
“Search will be more helpful, more visual, more personalized. AI will help us get you to the answer faster. We’re going to expand what search can do.”
The Search Generative Experience (SGE) is Google’s experiment in blending classic search with generative AI. Rather than just links, users get richer overviews, AI-generated summaries, and context, all without leaving the core Search experience.
“We are making Google Search better. SGE is not a replacement. It’s additive. Over time, the UI will evolve, but the fundamental principles of Search—relevance, quality, helpfulness—will stay.”
The Future of AI Is Still Very Early
Despite the hype and rapid development of models like Gemini and GPT-4, Pichai is clear:
“We are in the earliest possible stages of AI.”
He likens it to the early days of the internet—1995, maybe earlier. The core infrastructure is still being built, and the applications that will define AI’s role in society are just beginning to emerge.
“I think we are at the beginning of an exciting journey. It’s going to unfold over decades. Some of the biggest impacts of AI will be in areas we haven’t even thought about yet.”
This long-term thinking is why Google continues to invest in AI research, open-source tools like TensorFlow and JAX, and broader ecosystem development.
AI Will Change Jobs—but Also Create Them
One of the most immediate societal concerns around AI is the impact on work. Will AI take people’s jobs? Will it widen inequality?
Pichai’s answer is nuanced.
“AI will definitely impact jobs. But every major technological shift has. The goal is to make sure society adapts—through reskilling, education, and safety nets.”
He believes productivity gains will help workers, not just replace them. Tools like Duet AI in Workspace and Gemini in Android are already saving people time and enhancing creativity.
“You may write emails faster, summarize documents quicker, and learn a topic better. That’s real value to individuals and businesses.”
Why Open Models Matter
Interestingly, Pichai also touched on open-source AI. Despite concerns about misuse, he sees open models as essential to innovation and trust.
“Open source has played a critical role in technology—look at Linux, Android, Chrome. I think open models will be important for research, innovation, and keeping systems robust.”
Still, there’s a balance. Safety mechanisms, usage guidelines, and community oversight are key.
"We need a global framework for AI"
Ultimately, Pichai sees AI not as a competition among companies or countries, but as a shared human responsibility.
“AI has no borders. Its impact is global. So we need a global framework—just like we did for nuclear safety, aviation, or climate.”
He’s encouraged by the progress in international cooperation, such as the Hiroshima AI Process and EU regulations, but says there’s more work to do.
“Governments, academia, civil society, and industry all need to work together. This isn’t something a single company or country can solve alone.”
Final Thoughts: A New Era
Pichai’s optimism is grounded in experience. He’s led Google through mobile, cloud, and now AI—and believes this is the most consequential shift yet.
“We’ve seen big platform shifts before. Mobile was one. Cloud computing was another. But AI—this is different. This is exponential.”
The internet changed the world. AI might just change it even more.
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