In a surprising twist during the Google I/O developer conference held on Tuesday, Sergey Brin, the co-founder of Google, took the stage to discuss his renewed involvement with the tech giant. His return comes at a crucial time as Google intensifies its focus on artificial intelligence (AI), particularly in the wake of competition from OpenAI's ChatGPT. Brin shared insights about his ongoing projects and reflected on the lessons learned from the past failure of Google Glass.
Since 2023, Sergey Brin has been actively contributing to the development of AI products at Google. During his unexpected talk, which was initially intended to feature an interview with DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis, Brin humorously acknowledged his role in the discussion. "I torture people like Demis, who is pretty amazing," he quipped, highlighting the collaborative nature of his work at the company. Brin has been visiting Google almost daily to assist in training the latest AI models from the Gemini project, a task that aligns perfectly with his deep technical interests.
"I tend to be pretty deep in the technical details," Brin stated, noting that he relishes the opportunity to engage with the science behind the technology. His involvement in AI development marks a significant shift for the company, signaling Google's commitment to staying ahead in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
During the conference, Brin also revisited the topic of Google Glass, a project that was met with mixed reviews since its launch. He candidly admitted that the failure of Google Glass was partly due to his insufficient understanding of manufacturing and supply chains. "I just didn't know anything about consumer electronic supply chains, really, and how hard it would be to build that and have it at a reasonable price point," he explained. This reflection exemplifies the lessons he has taken from that experience, which he now applies to new projects.
Looking ahead, Brin expressed optimism about Google's latest venture into wearables: XR glasses, or Extended Reality glasses. He believes that advancements in AI have significantly enhanced the potential for this new product, suggesting that the technology is now more capable than ever. The excitement surrounding these developments is palpable, especially as Google aims to innovate and capture a share of the wearables market.
Sergey Brin's return to Google and his active participation in AI development underscore the company's strategic pivot towards artificial intelligence and advanced technologies. His insights into the lessons learned from Google Glass provide valuable context as Google embarks on new projects, including the promising XR glasses. As the tech world watches closely, Brin's involvement signifies a renewed commitment to innovation and excellence at Google, positioning the company as a formidable player in the future of technology.
