Since its establishment in 1998, Google, a technology giant with worldwide influence, has been led by several notable individuals. Among them is Sundar Pichai, an Indian-American business executive who currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company, and its subsidiary Google.
Sundar Pichai has not only established himself as a Google CEO and business executive, but also as a thought leader in the technology industry. His strategic vision, innovative thinking, and commitment to corporate sustainability, diversity, and social responsibility have earned him widespread recognition.
Early Life and Education
Sundar Pichai was born on June 10, 1972, in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. His mother was a stenographer, and his father was an electrical engineer. Pichai completed his schooling in Chennai and earned his degree in metallurgical engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur. He later moved to the United States to pursue higher studies, obtaining a Master of Science (M.S.) from Stanford University in materials science and engineering. He also holds an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was named a Siebel Scholar and a Palmer Scholar.
Career at Google
Pichai’s career at Google began in 2004 when he joined the company as a product manager. He quickly rose through the ranks and became known for his product management and innovation expertise. He played a key role in the development of several of Google’s popular products, including Google Chrome, ChromeOS, Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Maps. In 2010, Pichai made headlines when he announced the open-sourcing of the VP8 video codec and introduced the new video format, WebM.
In 2013, Pichai’s responsibilities expanded as he took over the management of Android, Google’s mobile operating system. He was also appointed as Product Chief by then-CEO Larry Page, showcasing his leadership abilities and strategic vision. In 2015, Pichai was selected to become the CEO of Google, following the formation of Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company, and he officially assumed the role on October 24, 2015.
As CEO of Google, Pichai has led the company through significant milestones and challenges. Under his leadership, Google has continued to innovate and expand its offerings in areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and smart devices. Pichai has also overseen Google’s efforts in corporate sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and social responsibility.
Notable Achievements
Pichai’s contributions to the technology industry have been widely recognized. He has been included in Time’s annual list of the 100 most influential people in both 2016 and 2020, highlighting his impact on the tech world. In addition to his role at Google, Pichai also serves on the Alphabet Board of Directors, further showcasing his leadership and strategic acumen.
Beyond Google
Pichai’s influence extends beyond Google and Alphabet Inc. He has been a speaker at various global events, including the World Internet Conference in China in 2017, where he discussed Google’s commitment to helping Chinese businesses expand internationally. Pichai has also testified before the United States Congress on data privacy and security issues, showcasing his role as a prominent figure in the technology industry.
