Former Google CEO says, “working from home was more important than winning,” leaving it with a competitive disadvantage in the race for AI domination
Google’s former CEO says the company is at a competitive disadvantage in AI because of its work-from-home policy.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
What you need to know
“Google decided that work-life balance and going home early and working from home was more important than winning,” stated former Google CEO Eric Schmidt. “And the reason the startups work is because the people work like hell.”
Over the past few years, Google has been considered the new kid in the block and a late bloomer in thegenerative AI landscape. Gmail creator Paul Buchheit recently echoed similar sentiments and indicated thatthe company missed its opportunity to become a leader in the categorydespite its vast resources, including talented staffers and broad access to data for training.
Buchheit indicated that Google veered off its AI ambitions after Alphabet reorganized it, placing CEO Sundar Pichai at the helm while the cofounders took a backseat. The company’s focus shifted to maintaining its dominance in search.
And now, according to a YouTube video published on Stanford Online’s channel, Schmidt blasted Google for its dismal performance in the AI space (viaBusiness Insider). The former CEO says Google’s work-from-home approach gives startups like OpenAI and Anthropic the edge and competitive advantage to consistently show greater success and growth in the relatively new field.
🎒The best Back to School deals📝
Google hates the Work-from-Home culture
According to Google’s former CEO:
“I’m sorry to be so blunt, but the fact of the matter is, if you all leave the university and go found a company, you’re not going to let people work from home and only come in one day a week if you want to compete against the other startups.”
The work-from-home approach is a relatively new phenomenon (at least for most organizations) but was broadly adopted at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to mitigate the further spreading of the killer virus amid cessation of movement and other prevalent issues.
Get the Windows Central Newsletter
All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.
While the COVID days are well past us, most organizations have retained the work-from-home arrangement, citing its profitability benefits by cutting operational costs and enhancing employee productivity. Some employers have new policies that propose working from the office three days a week and two days at home.
Google follows a similar model and has gradually transitioned from its 100% remote work arrangement.
Interestingly, a former Google engineer saysthe company has bigger fish to fry with OpenAI’s new search tool—SearchGPT. According to the engineer, Google might appealthe antitrust monopolist ruling, pushing back regulation further into the horizon.
Elsewhere, Google justshipped Gemini Liveat its Made by Google event to compete with OpenAI’s Advanced Voice Mode. It’s a new mobile conversational experience that boasts “free-flowing” conversations.
Kevin Okemwa is a seasoned tech journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya with lots of experience covering the latest trends and developments in the industry at Windows Central. With a passion for innovation and a keen eye for detail, he has written for leading publications such as OnMSFT, MakeUseOf, and Windows Report, providing insightful analysis and breaking news on everything revolving around the Microsoft ecosystem. You’ll also catch him occasionally contributing at iMore about Apple and AI. While AFK and not busy following the ever-emerging trends in tech, you can find him exploring the world or listening to music.
