When Sundar Pichai took his father for a ride in a self-driving car

Google CEO Sundar Pichai

Google CEO Sundar Pichai recently shared a special moment that reminded him just how much AI has evolved.In a blog post, he wrote about taking his parents for a ride in a self-driving car near the Golden Gate Bridge.

“The first time I took my parents in a fully autonomous car was near the Golden Gate Bridge. My dad is in his 80s. It was a surreal moment, and a reminder of how quickly AI progress is making its way into people’s lives,” he shared.

For Pichai, this wasn’t just about how technologically advanced everything's—it was a reminder of how AI is quietly becoming part of our daily lives, just like computers and smartphones did years ago. Only this time, he believes the impact will be even bigger.

He also talked about Google’s long journey with AI and how it’s already helping in real ways—like assisting doctors with diagnoses or predicting natural disasters. Self-driving cars are just one sign of how fast things are changing.
At the same time, Pichai stressed that AI needs to be developed responsibly. The goal, he said, is to make sure AI benefits everyone, not just a few.