Google CEO Sundar Pichai highlighted the transformative potential of artificial intelligence across various sectors, noting that while each generation often fears new technologies will negatively impact the next, the reality is typically the other way around.
“Every generation worries that the new technology will change the lives of the next generation for the worse — and yet, it’s almost always the opposite,” he said while addressing the AI Action Summit 2025 in Paris earlier this week.
Pichai said that AI can bring change across various sectors like education, healthcare and science, while advocating for a balanced approach to its regulation. Pichai illustrated the rapid pace of technological change by contrasting his own experience learning math with logarithmic tables with his children’s use of smartphones.
“I grew up doing math using logarithmic tables, and I was uncomfortable watching my kids learn math with smartphones. They’ve turned out just fine,” Pichai said.
Pichai shares his experience with technology growing up
Reflecting on his upbringing in Chennai, Pichai shared stories of limited access to technology, such as waiting five years for a rotary phone and undertaking a lengthy journey to obtain blood test results for his mother.
He contrasted these experiences with the present ease of communication and access to information, highlighting the profound impact of technological advancements.
“We’re still in the early days, yet I already believe AI will be the most profound shift of our lifetimes,” he asserted.
Pichai emphasized the need to foster an ecosystem of innovation and build a robust infrastructure to fully realise AI’s potential, acknowledging the efforts of global leaders in this direction.
“This is an important and historic moment. I think when history looks back it will see this as the beginning of a golden age of innovation. But these outcomes are not guaranteed. The biggest risk could be missing out,” he added.
He stressed the importance of investing in people and preparing them for the future workforce, urging bold action to responsibly advance AI applications.