More than 20 directors, senior directors and vice presidents were among the signatories, the statement said.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Experts say Google’s expansion reinforces Texas’ position as a business-friendly state with abundant energy and a skilled workforce.
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Paris:

Google CEO Sundar Pichai highlighted the “incredible opportunities” that artificial intelligence (AI) will bring to India, following his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the AI Action Summit in Paris.

The Alphabet CEO also noted the potential for close collaboration between “we” (Google) and India to advance the country’s digital transformation.

He said,” Delighted to meet with PM Narendra Modi today while in Paris for the AI Action Summit. We discussed the incredible opportunities AI will bring to India and ways we can work closely together on India’s digital transformation.”

Earlier in the day, PM Modi addressed the India-France CEOs Forum in Paris, stating that the forum plays a key role in strengthening economic ties and “fostering” innovation.

He also noted that business leaders from India and France are coming together to create new opportunities across key sectors, which he believes will drive growth and investment for future generations.

Speaking at the event, PM Modi added, “This is more than just a business event–it’s a convergence of the brightest minds from India and France. You are embracing the mantra of innovation, collaboration, and elevation, driving progress with purpose. Beyond forging boardroom connections, you are actively reinforcing the strategic partnership between India and France.”

He further stated that India and France share deep trust and common values, saying, “India and France aren’t just connected by democratic values. Deep trust, innovation, and serving the people are the pillars of our friendship. Our relationship isn’t limited to just our two nations. Together, we’re providing solutions to global problems.”
PM Modi also co-chaired the AI Action Summit with French President Emmanuel Macron. The week-long summit concluded with a high-level segment attended by global leaders, policymakers, and industry experts, highlighting the growing collaboration between India and France in technology and innovation.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

In the mail, Sundar Pichai said the company launched its latest AI model Gemini 2.0 late last year as well as its quantum computing chip Willow, ending 2024 on a high. There was also innovation, he said, across Search, YouTube and more.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai emphasised the significance of being “one team” as “thousands of Googlers” were dealing with devastating wildfires across Southern California. In an email to employees, Mr Pichai mentioned a Google campaign to help in the wildfire relief efforts.

The worst wildfires in the history of Los Angeles raged across the city and deep into the storied heartland of the American film industry. The homes of movie stars and celebrities were among those consumed by flames, which tore through some of the world’s most lavish real estate and above showbiz landmarks instantly recognisable around the world.

Google’s philanthropic arm Google.org is supporting relief and recovery efforts with funding and an employee matching campaign.

“Our thoughts are with the people and communities affected by the greater Los Angeles wildfires. We have been working closely with local authorities to provide accurate and timely information through our products and services,” the company said in a statement.

The company said people in the affected areas can access SOS alerts, public alerts and wildfire boundaries across Google Search and Maps. “Road closure information is available on both Google Maps and Waze, with Waze also providing emergency shelter locations. These alerts and resources are continuously updated to provide critical safety information from authoritative sources,” it said.

“We are actively monitoring the situation, and we will continue to work with public authorities, share timely information through our products and provide support to the people and communities who are impacted,” it added.

The scale and spread of the blazes stretched exhausted firefighting crews beyond their capacity with at least six separate wildfires – three of them totally out of control – burning in Los Angeles County.

The Los Angeles Fire Department issued an evacuation order for people in an area within Hollywood Boulevard to the south, Mulholland Drive to the north, the 101 Freeway to the east and Laurel Canyon Boulevard to the west – all iconic addresses for film, TV and music. The Hollywood Sign is across the freeway.

On the west side of Los Angeles, the Palisades fire consumed 15,832 acres (6,406 hectares) and hundreds of structures in the hills between Santa Monica and Malibu, racing down Topanga Canyon until reaching the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday.

Google has laid off 10 per cent of its managerial staff as part of an ongoing effort to improve efficiency and redefine its corporate culture, particularly the concept of ‘Googleyness’. CEO Sundar Pichai revealed the decision during a company-wide meeting on Wednesday, explaining that the cuts would affect roles at the manager, director, and vice president levels. While some employees will transition to individual contributor positions, others face complete role eliminations.

What is ‘Googleyness’?

‘Googleyness’ is a term used by Google to describe the traits and qualities that make an individual a good fit for the company. However, the definition of the word has evolved over time. Initially, it was a broad concept that was used to assess whether a candidate would mesh well with Google’s culture. Historically, ‘Googleyness’ was linked to qualities such as intellectual humility, comfort with ambiguity, and a sense of fun.

In 2017, Google refined its hiring process by updating the definition of ‘Googleyness’. Previously, this term had been loosely defined, often used interchangeably with “cultural fit,” which was a key factor in hiring decisions. However, Google realised that equating Googleyness with cultural fit could lead to bias, favouring candidates from similar backgrounds or perspectives. This could result in a homogeneous workplace, lacking diversity in race, gender, and socioeconomic background.

The shift aimed to focus on attributes that genuinely help individuals thrive in Google’s dynamic, fast-paced environment. ‘Googleyness’, according to former Head of People Operations Laszlo Bock, involves qualities like intellectual humility, a sense of fun, conscientiousness, comfort with ambiguity, and the ability to learn and grow. It emphasizes traits such as being proactive, transparent, humble, and adaptable, while also encouraging employees to take courageous paths in their personal and professional lives.

Now, during an all-hands meeting this week, CEO Sundar Pichai clarified the definition, explaining that it had become too broad and needed refinement. According to Mr Pichai, ‘Googleyness’ now focuses on being “Mission First,” prioritising the company’s goals, and being both “Bold and Responsible” in decision-making. It also reportedly includes qualities like staying “Scrappy” (resourceful) and having fun while working, emphasizing teamwork and a sense of unity, summarized under the motto “Team Google”.

These changes align with Google’s ongoing workforce restructuring efforts, which include the December 19 layoffs and previous job cuts in the company’s global advertisement and cloud units. The layoffs come as part of Google’s larger strategy to stay competitive in the fast-evolving AI sector, with the company launching Gemini 2.0, an AI model poised to drive innovation in the tech industry.

New Delhi:

Elon Musk has been a near-constant presence on the side of US President-elect Donald Trump. It was proven again when Google CEO Sundar Pichai dialed Trump and Musk joined the call, reported The Information. Mr Pichai called Trump to congratulate him on his victory over Kamala Harris in the recently concluded US Presidential Election.

In the past, Musk has alleged biases in Google’s search results, suggesting that upon searching for Trump, news related to Harris surfaced.

Wow https://t.co/9utMxHQCog

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 29, 2024

The Tesla and SpaceX CEO Musk has previously joined telephone calls with world leaders and dispensed advice on personnel choices.

It is because of his close ties with the President-elect, Musk is called the “First Buddy”.

Both have been spotted together at various events including the launch of the SpaceX Starship rocket and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight bout on November 16.

Under Trump’s cabinet, Musk will lead the ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ – a position Trump hinted at during his campaign trail. Musk will head the department alongside Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. “Together, these two wonderful Americans will pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies – Essential to the ‘Save America’ Movement,” Trump said in a statement.

Musk even found a mention in Trump’s victory speech and was described as “an amazing guy”.

“We have a new star, a star is born: Elon,” Trump told his supporters. “He’s an amazing guy. We were sitting together tonight. You know, he spent two weeks in Philadelphia, in different parts of Pennsylvania, campaigning.”

The duo spent the election night at Trump’s Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, keeping a close watch on the results and Trump’s return to the Oval Office after a four-year gap.

Washington:

Eminent Indian Americans on Wednesday welcomed the re-election of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States and assured to work with him on several issues, including that of the US-India relationship.

“Congratulations to President Donald Trump on his decisive victory. We are in a golden age of American innovation and are committed to working with his administration to help bring the benefits to everyone,” Google CEO Sundar Pichai said.

Congratulations to President @realDonaldTrump on his decisive victory. We are in a golden age of American innovation and are committed to working with his administration to help bring the benefits to everyone. pic.twitter.com/IPX7AJ8VvI

— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) November 6, 2024

“The American people have spoken. Congratulations to President Trump on a strong win. Now, it’s time for the American people to come together, pray for our country, and start the process of a peaceful transition,” former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley said.

“That begins with Kamala Harris conceding. You can’t just talk about unity in a campaign, you have to show it regardless of the outcome,” Ms Haley said.

The American people have spoken.

Congratulations to President Trump on a strong win. Now, it’s time for the American people to come together, pray for our country, and start the process of a peaceful transition.

That begins with Kamala Harris conceding. You can’t just talk…

— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) November 6, 2024

“What a great day for America! Let’s take a moment to celebrate. Then begins the hard work to get our country back on track!” said former Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal.

What a great day for America! Let’s take a moment to celebrate. Then begins the hard work to get our country back on track!

— Gov. Bobby Jindal (@BobbyJindal) November 6, 2024

“It’s almost morning in America,” said Vivek Ramaswamy, a Trump confidant. “Now let’s go save a country,” he said.

“Congratulations to President Trump. We look forward to working with him and his administration on issues of bilateral importance in the US-India relationship, and on global challenges that the two countries can lead on together,” said M R Rangaswami, founder, Indiaspora, a community engagement platform.

“Congratulations President Elect Trump! America failed to elect its First Women President again! People have voted for a change to handle border issues, economy, immigration, crime, wars! I respect their choice. We did all we can!” said Ajay Jain Bhaturia, a major fundraiser of the Kamala Harris campaign.

New York-based prominent entrepreneur Al Mason said: “God saved Trump from two assassination attempts – there is a reason for the same. Trump is going to be a messiah for the American people and the rest of the world. There will be a very prosperous America, a safer world free of wars. In fact, a golden era begins for the United States of America.”

Dr Krishna Reddy, chair of Indian American Friendship Council, congratulated Trump for the super victory. “This is the beginning of super US-India relations and together we keep the world safe again. This is the great strength of Indian Americans to build a robust economy again and Indian Americans are a great part of this success,” he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Google CEO Sundar Pichai has revealed why the company invests so heavily in its famous free meal policy. Contrary to popular belief, Mr Pichai explained these meals were not just perks, adding they served a deeper purpose.

“I can recall several times, when I was working at Google early on, being in cafes, meeting someone else, talking and getting excited about something. So, it sparks creativity,” Mr Pichai shared in an interview on Bloomberg’s The David Rubenstein Show.

Sundar Pichai, who started working at Google as a Product Manager in 2004, said that some of the most brilliant ideas emerge during these communal meals.

Read | Google Employee Gives A Glimpse Into Her Daily Work Meal In Viral Video

The CEO added that this collaborative environment, where employees gather over food, helps foster innovation. “The benefit that comes out of it dwarfs the cost,” Mr Pichai remarked, saying the free meals weren’t a financial burden but a long-term investment in creativity and community building.

Beyond the free meals, Mr Pichai noted that Google’s employee-friendly initiatives positively impacted workplace dynamics. With over 1,82,000 employees globally, the tech giant attracts top talent, with approximately 90 per cent of job candidates accepting offers.

Discussing what Google looks for in potential hires, Mr Pichai said that criteria vary depending on the role. For engineering positions, he said, it was important to find skilled programmers who can adapt to new challenges. “We are really looking for ‘superstar software engineers,” he added.

Apart from complimentary meals, Google offers extensive health insurance, flexible remote work options, paid time off and wellness programmes, making it one of the most attractive workplaces in the industry.

However, despite the benefits, Sundar Pichai acknowledged that not all of Google’s perks have remained intact in recent years. In 2023, the company announced plans to streamline its offerings, including reducing the hours of some office cafes and consolidating micro kitchens. However, he noted that Google’s benefits still rank among the most generous in Silicon Valley, influencing other companies to adopt similar initiatives.