Sundar Pichai is an Indian-American business executive and the current CEO of Google and its parent company, Alphabet Inc. He was born on July 12, 1972, in Chennai, India. Pichai has had a remarkable journey from a middle-class family in India to one of the most powerful people in the tech industry.
Early Life and Education:
Pichai grew up in a middle-class family in Chennai, India. His father was an electrical engineer, and his mother was a stenographer. Pichai showed a keen interest in technology from a young age, and he went on to study metallurgical engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. After completing his undergraduate degree, he received a scholarship to study at Stanford University, where he earned a Master’s degree in Material Sciences and Engineering. He later received an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Career at Google:
Pichai joined Google in 2004 as a product manager, working on the development of the Google Toolbar. He quickly rose through the ranks and became responsible for overseeing Google’s search products, including Google Maps, Google Drive, and Gmail. In 2013, Pichai was put in charge of Android, the world’s most popular mobile operating system.
In 2015, Pichai was promoted to CEO of Google, taking over from co-founder Larry Page. Under his leadership, Google has continued to dominate the search engine market and has expanded into new areas, including artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and hardware.
In 2019, Pichai was named the CEO of Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, replacing Larry Page, who stepped down from his role as CEO. Pichai’s responsibilities now extend beyond Google to include Alphabet’s other subsidiaries, such as Waymo and Verily.
Personal Life:
Pichai is married to Anjali Pichai, and they have two children together. He is known for his love of soccer and has expressed a desire to see the sport become more popular in the United States. He is also a supporter of the Indian cricket team.
Philanthropy:
Pichai has been actively involved in philanthropy and has donated millions of dollars to various causes. In 2018, he announced a $1 billion donation over five years to support nonprofits and education-focused initiatives around the world. He has also donated to organizations working on issues related to immigration and refugee rights.
Conclusion:
Sundar Pichai is one of the most influential figures in the tech industry today. He has been instrumental in the development and growth of Google and has expanded the company into new areas. He is a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs and technologists, and his story is a testament to the power of hard work and determination.