Sundar Pichai drops a big hint about Google’s next CEO and it’s not what you think

Sundar Pichai

At a recent tech conference in San Francisco, Google CEO Sundar Pichai offered a rare peek into what he thinks the next leader of the tech giant should be like. While he didn’t name any names or suggest he’s stepping down anytime soon, Pichai made it clear that the next CEO will need to be someone who truly understands the power and responsibility that comes with Google’s influence.

Speaking at Bloomberg’s Technology Summit, Pichai said the future leader must ensure that Google’s tools and innovations continue to make a real difference in people’s lives. He pointed out the growing role of artificial intelligence in shaping how Google operates and hinted that whoever takes over will have an “extraordinary AI companion” to support them. The comment shows just how deeply AI is being woven into every part of the company’s future.

Pichai also addressed a concern that’s on many minds—will AI take over human jobs? He doesn’t think so. In fact, he believes AI will help engineers be more productive by taking care of the more repetitive parts of their work. “It’s about making people more effective, not replacing them,” he explained. Google, he added, still plans to hire more engineers through 2026.

In a more personal moment, Pichai reflected on his early years growing up in Chennai, India. He described struggling with basic needs like water during a severe drought. His family would line up for water delivered by trucks, receiving just eight buckets per household.

Those experiences, he said, shaped his belief that technology should be built to improve lives—especially for those who need it the most.