Google CEO Sundar Pichai recently spoke with the hosts of The New York Times’ technology podcast ‘Hard Fork’. During this, discussions were held regarding the future of Google Search, the use of AI agents, and college graduates.
Pichai has said that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the world very rapidly. In such a situation, it is natural for people to be concerned. In fact, people are not yet ready to understand and adapt to such a massive technological change. A statistic emerged that only 16% of people consider AI mostly good, while 35% consider it bad. On this, Pichai said that it is the responsibility of tech companies to convey the benefits of AI to people and show how this technology can make life better.
Regarding fears of AI eliminating jobs and changing work, he said that the actual situation would not be as severe as anticipated. However, he also said that every generation has concerns about the future, but ultimately, that same generation builds a better world.
Entry-level youth’s capabilities will increase
Speaking about the future of entry-level youth, Pichai said that AI will enhance people’s capabilities. Just as the arrival of spreadsheets changed the way work was done, AI will also open new avenues for many people. He said that in the coming time, more people in the world will be able to code than ever before. According to Pichai, AI can also bring about a big change in professions like medicine. Currently, doctors spend a lot of time on paperwork and technical procedures; AI will save this time, allowing doctors to spend the remaining time with patients.
Demand for cybersecurity experts increased with AI, reaching up to 76 crore in the US
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With the increasing use of AI, demand for cybersecurity professionals is rising rapidly. According to Glassdoor, cybersecurity-related jobs grew by 11% in the first quarter of this year. Experts believe a key reason is the widespread adoption of AI coding tools, which can introduce bugs and security vulnerabilities into software systems. As tech employees generate more code using AI, companies are increasingly seeking security specialists to identify and fix potential risks.
Industry leaders have also raised concerns. AI firms have warned that advanced models could be used to exploit software vulnerabilities. LinkedIn’s Chief Information Security Officer Lee Kisner says the need for cybersecurity experts continues to grow. Following the launch of powerful AI models, hiring in the cybersecurity sector has accelerated, with compensation for top security executives reportedly reaching Rs 66–76 crore.
AI creates new opportunities even as tech layoffs continue
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The impact of AI is extending beyond cybersecurity. New job opportunities are emerging across private equity, venture capital, and AI-focused industries. Demand for AI engineers is particularly high among recent college graduates. Google’s Vice President Nick Fox has said that the company now needs more software engineers than before, despite advancements in AI.
However, the broader tech industry continues to face workforce reductions. Meta recently laid off around 8,000 employees, while Amazon eliminated approximately 16,000 roles. Companies such as Stripe, Snap, and Block have also cut thousands of jobs. This highlights a growing trend in the tech sector: while AI is eliminating some roles, it is simultaneously creating strong demand for specialized skills in areas such as AI engineering and cybersecurity.
