“This moment will make people think creatively and think ahead.”
Google CEO, Sundar Pichai
Google CEO Sundar Pichai in a recent interview said, Collective action is the most powerful resource we have, and it’s actually working adding that there are issues, but there is more coordination than not.
He said, “How we prevent future pandemics, solve climate change, and tackle AI safety will all involve us coming together in some way or other. And that’s what gives me hope for the next generation.”
In the recent regime, the internet has become the most powerful equalizer, capable of propelling new ideas and people forward, even in global crises like Covid-19 and lockdown.
Sundar who brings humility and a passion for technology has been working with Google for 15 years suggested that the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown period will inspire and lead towards creative thinking and think ahead. He believes that crises inspire us to fight with the situation and inspire us to solve problems. Google itself was innovated right before the dotcom crash.
Collective action is the most powerful resource we have, and it’s actually working adding that there are issues, but there is more coordination than not.
Sundar Pitchai, CEO – Google and Alphabet
“Google was founded right before the dotcom crash and built in a moment of severe, I would say, scarcity. That inspired us to solve problems with constraints. And be it distance learning, delivery – I think this moment will make people think creatively and think ahead”, said Google CEO.
Also the CEO of Alphabet felt that technology has to play an important role during the Covid-19 pandemic. “I think technology and technology companies can play a significant role, and that’s the role we’re looking to play. But I wouldn’t get carried away with it. The roles are very clear. It’s up to governments and public-health organizations”, he said.
On whether the crisis will change the way we work, he said the extent to which people commute and the toll it takes on their families and so on and so forth, we could come up with better solutions, he said.
On raising privacy concerns, he says, “By putting privacy first. It’s up to the user to decide to consent. It’s transparent. They can choose whether to use it or not. And there’s no personally identifiable information or location data coming to Apple and Google as part of this.
As WHO calls ‘infodemic’ – a deluge of misinformation, spreading mostly online which contends with actual facts about COVID-19, Pichai says, “For me, supporting trustworthy institutions and sources has always been critical. In some ways, that’s easier right now because there is a shared sense of what is objectively right. And you can look to scientists, you can look to health authorities, and that helps you converge on facts.”
On Social responsibility, Sundar Pichai, 47, who crucially contributed in developing – Search, Maps, Play, Android, Chrome, Gmail and G Suite says, “I think large companies have seen a lot of growth over the past few years. So it’s a natural moment in time for that to be scrutinized. What it means to me is we, as a company, have to make sure we are doing good in society—whether it’s helping companies and schools stay connected or committing a $250 million ad grant to help organizations like the WHO disseminate important information on COVID-19. And I think that’s a test we will have to pass over and over again.
(Rusen Kumar is the founder of India CSR)
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