Google co-founder Sergey Brin has sent a clear message to the company's AI teams, urging them to "turbocharge" their efforts and ditch "nanny products" that are overly restrictive. In a note to hundreds of employees in Google's DeepMind AI division, Brin emphasized the need to accelerate progress in the race to achieve Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).
Brin's note, which was first reported by The New York Times, comes as the AGI race is gaining momentum, with multiple tech giants vying for dominance. The Google co-founder stressed that the company has all the ingredients to win the race, but needs to move faster and trust its users more. He recommended that AI teams work longer hours, prioritize simple solutions, and focus on code performance.
One of the most striking aspects of Brin's note was his criticism of Google's AI products being "overrun with filters and punts of various kinds." He argued that the company needs to trust its users and stop building "nanny products" that are overly restrictive. This sentiment is notable, given that Brin and co-founder Larry Page have been accused of leaving Google "rudderless" when they retired in 2019, just before the current AI boom cycle began.
Brin's note has sparked debate within the tech industry, with some employees pointing out the irony of his recommendations, given his own history. However, his message is clear: Google needs to accelerate its efforts and trust its users more if it wants to stay ahead in the AGI race.
In other tech news, Meta has been cracking down on leaks, with the company firing around 20 employees for sharing confidential information. Meanwhile, Amazon's Alexa revamp has been plagued by bugs and delays, and California Governor Gavin Newsom has made a plea to tech investors to focus on opportunities in his state.
The AGI race is heating up, and tech giants are under pressure to innovate and stay ahead. Brin's note is a clear indication that Google is taking the race seriously and is willing to make changes to achieve dominance. As the tech industry continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and the companies that can adapt and innovate the fastest will come out on top.