Google CEO Sundar Pichai on AI fear that makes him lose sleep

Google CEO Sundar Pichai has shared his thoughts on the dual nature of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The company’s top executive said that while the technology promises enormous societal benefits, the potential for its misuse by criminals is his primary source of concern. He pointed out the use of AI in creating deepfake photos – convincing hoax images that can be used to fool people online – is his biggest AI nightmare.

In a recent interview, Pichai was asked what aspects of AI keep him awake at night. Pichai began his response by emphasising the positive potential of AI.

"With a powerful technology like AI, there are so many benefits we can think of," Pichai said, citing examples such as AI's future role in helping to “discover new drugs” and “develop better treatments for cancer.”




“Well, any technology you know has a dual side to it. Obviously, with the powerful technology like AI, there are so many benefits we can think of, you know? One day this is going to help us maybe discover new drugs, uh, develop better treatments for cancer, and so on,” he said.

However, the CEO quickly pivoted to the inherent risk that comes with such power. “Any technology, you know, has a dual side to it,” he noted.

“it could be used by Bad actors...like deepfakes in a way, we won't be able to tell the difference. So those are those are the kind of things you know, you sit and think about and the Journey of humanity is always, ‘How do you harness technology to benefit Society?’ And I think this technology is no different,” he noted.

Pichai says he monitors real-time feedback on social media

Pichai recently revealed his approach on gauging the success of major company product launches. In a podcast, he said that he personally monitors public reception and user experience on social media platforms, like Elon Musk’s X (Twitter).

“I’m one of one of those people. I need to feel it firsthand, right? So I get reports, but I'm out there trying to understand how people are using it, what they are posting. And I think that is important,” Pichai said.

“I'm pretty active on launch day trying to understand what's working. I'm looking for feedback. I'm on X trying to understand [and] see if people, average users, how they're experiencing the product,” Pichai added.