Quote of the day by Google CEO Sundar Pichai: AI is "more profound than electricity or fire" a reminder of its role as a critical resource in the modern world

Date:
Tue, 09 Jun 2026 22:00:00 +0000

Description:
With AI usage growing tremendously in recent years, we reflect on one of the most intriguing framings of this technology

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Google has been at the heart of the AI buildout for the best part of a decade; all modern generative AI technologies are based on its scientists' work in building out the
transformer architecture in 2017. Sundar Pichai, who's been leading the company for more than 10 years, is all in on AI and its transformative potential for mankind. "AI is probably the most important thing humanity has ever worked on. I think of it as something more profound than electricity or fire." Google CEO Sundar Pichai, January 2018 Google's AI bullishness Speaking at a town hall event in 2018 hosted by MSNBC, Pichai made the rather bold statement on the impact that AI can have on humankind at a time when the technology was incredibly embryonic. Sure, plenty of early AI and AI-adjacent technologies were in deployment in startups and enterprises alike, ranging from machine learning to automation, but the extent of the Google chief's bullishness might have seemed hyperbolic at the time. Latest Videos From
Watch full video here: Quote of the day This article is part of TechRadar Pro's QOTD project to provide an insight into the minds of the brightest and most recognized figures in the technology industry today and in years gone
by. Read the full series here . This quote also followed similarly extreme statements, including an infamous quote from Elon Musk that AI is vastly more risky than North Korea , for instance.

While these technologies were actively shaping outcomes for businesses and consumers, this was all behind the scenes rather than front-and-center.
Still, with Pichai enjoying a front row seat, his thoughts are not to be sniffed at. You may like Quote of the day by Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai: "Quantum is where AI was five years ago" insight on the next big tech craze Quote of the day by Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei: "Humanity is about to be handed almost unimaginable power, and it is deeply unclear whether [we] possess the maturity to wield it" warnings on the looming threat of beyond-human AI Amazon CEO Andy Jassy lays out his '6 truths' for the future of AI AI has ensnared the tech world During the town hall, interviewer and then Record executive editor Kara Swisher countered: "Fire? Fire is pretty good." The Google CEO's implication is that AI will one day have an impact on our civilization that supercedes what we consider to be fundamental discoveries that shaped our trajectory as a species.

While it remains a matter of opinion, AI hasn't yet demonstrated this fundamental impact despite year-over-year improvements. But you can't discount the possibility that the science will on day catch up with the tech industry's imagination. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners
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Most scientists agree that artificial general intelligence (AGI) is on the horizon one day at least. If this hypothetical technology lives up to its widely hyped potential, Pichai's optimism may be vindicated after all.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/quote-of-the-day-by-google-ceo-sundar-pichai-ai- is-more-profound-than-electricity-or-fire-a-reminder-of-its-role-as-a-critical -resource-in-the-modern-world


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