Why Google’s CEO Says AI Is the Next Big Wave After Mobile

Redefining Cloud Services with AI

On April 22, 2016, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said the company is focusing on the most promising fields such as artificial intelligence and cloud computing, aiming to grow beyond its advertising business.

Pichai explained that Google has long invested in cloud computing, and as its data‑center operations mature, it will start offering services to external customers, targeting large clients like Netflix and Spotify that currently use Amazon AWS.

He emphasized that Google’s multi‑year investment in machine learning and AI is a key differentiator, noting that DeepMind’s AlphaGo recently defeated a top Go player, showcasing the power of deep learning.

Pichai announced the appointment of Diane Greene, former VMware CEO, as senior vice president of enterprise, signaling Google’s serious intent to compete in the cloud market.

According to Pichai, the industry will shift from a mobile‑first to an AI‑first paradigm, and Google aims to lead this transition by providing advanced AI and machine‑learning APIs through its cloud platform.

He reiterated that Google’s AI capabilities will help enterprises understand their data and core competencies, creating a major differentiation from Amazon and Microsoft cloud services.

AI: The Next Hotspot After Mobile Internet

Pichai also stated that AI will be the next major technology hotspot after mobile internet, envisioning search evolving into an assistant that serves users across various scenarios, especially on mobile devices.

He believes the world will move from mobile‑first to AI‑first computing, and Google is positioned at the forefront of this transformation.

Analysts noted that while Google’s cloud ambitions are strong, recent service outages have raised questions about execution.

Sources: Inverse, PCWorld, Business Insider, Light Reading, Big News Network.