Google CEO Sundar Pichai calls artificial intelligence a force of hyper progress that can transform science, economies and public services
New Delhi: Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai said on Thursday that artificial intelligence is the most powerful technology shift of his lifetime. Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, he said no earlier invention has expanded his imagination or made him “dream bigger” than AI.
Addressing world leaders, policymakers and technology experts at the summit, Pichai described AI as a major turning point in modern history. He said it is driving what he called an era of “hyper progress” and has the power to speed up scientific discoveries, transform economies and improve public services on a large scale. Along with speaking about its global impact, he also shared a personal reflection on how deeply AI has changed his view of what is possible.
Era Of Hyper Progress
Sundar Pichai said artificial intelligence is bringing a level of change that the world has not seen before. According to him, AI is not just another new tool but a basic shift that will influence almost every part of life.
He mentioned major breakthroughs like Google DeepMind’s AlphaFold, which solved complex problems related to protein folding that scientists had struggled with for years. He said such achievements show how AI can greatly speed up research in healthcare, climate science and many other important fields. Unlike past technological revolutions that took decades to show results, AI is moving forward at an unmatched speed.
Leapfrogging Development
Pichai said AI gives developing and emerging economies a big opportunity to move ahead faster than ever before. If countries invest in computing systems, internet connectivity and digital skills, they can shorten years of development into a much smaller time frame.
At the same time, he warned that the existing digital divide must not turn into an AI divide. He stressed that access to AI tools and knowledge must remain fair and inclusive. Governments and private companies need to work together so that poorer or developing countries are not left behind in this new phase of growth.
Future Of Work
Talking about jobs, Pichai admitted that AI will change the nature of work across the world. Some jobs may be automated, some will change and many new roles and industries will be created because of AI.
He said preparation is very important. Google has already trained 100 million people around the world in digital skills. The company is also launching a Google AI Professional Certificate to help people learn how to use AI in their work. He urged governments and businesses to focus on training and reskilling workers so that the benefits of AI reach everyone.
Also Read: Humans Must Not Become Data Points, Says PM Modi at AI Impact Summit 2026
Trust And Responsibility
Pichai said trust must be the foundation of AI development. He called for clear ethical guidelines, transparency and strong safety measures to prevent misuse.
He highlighted tools like SynthID, developed by Google, which helps identify AI-generated content and verify digital material. As more AI-created images, videos and text appear online, such tools will help people know what is real and what is not. He added that governments must act both as regulators who set rules and as innovators who use AI to improve public services.
Investments In India
During his speech, Pichai also spoke about Google’s growing investments in India. He announced that Google will set up a full-stack AI hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. This project is part of Google’s more than 15 billion dollar infrastructure investment in the country.
The new facility will include large-scale computing systems and an international subsea cable gateway to improve connectivity. Pichai said this shows Google’s long-term commitment to India’s digital growth and its role in the global AI ecosystem. Remembering his earlier visits to the region as a student, he said he could never have imagined such rapid technological progress.
AI In Public Services
Pichai explained that AI is already helping people in many practical ways. He mentioned examples such as AI-based weather forecasting tools that help farmers and affordable AI-powered health diagnosis systems in developing countries.
He said governments can use AI to improve planning, manage resources better and provide faster and more effective services to citizens. If used properly, AI can make public systems more efficient and helpful.
Call For Collaboration
Throughout his address, Pichai stressed that the success of AI depends on global cooperation. Governments must create forward-looking policies, companies must build useful and responsible tools and educational institutions must teach the skills needed in an AI-driven world.
He said the world is facing a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve lives on a massive scale. Repeating his strong belief, he said no technology has made him dream bigger than artificial intelligence.
After the summit, Pichai shared his thoughts on X. He wrote, “Addressing the India AI Action Summit today was a profound personal honor. AI can improve billions of lives and solve some of the hardest problems in science. The best outcomes of AI are not guaranteed. We must pursue AI boldly, approach it responsibly, and work together through this moment.”
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 brought together global CEOs, heads of state and technology leaders to discuss the future of AI, including its governance, ethics and innovation. Pichai’s speech highlighted Google’s leading role in the AI space and underlined the need to balance fast technological progress with responsibility, fairness and inclusion.
Also Read: Microsoft to Invest $50 Billion in AI Growth Across Global South by 2030
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