Billionaire behind your browser: Sundar Pichai's net worth crosses $1 billion
Alphabet's shares rose as much as 4.1% on Thursday after the company posted quarterly sales and profits that were better than what analysts had expected. As of 12:11 am, the stock was trading at $194.44, up 1.53%.Pichai, 53, owns a 0.02% stake in Alphabet, which is currently valued at around $440 million. He has also sold Alphabet shares worth more than $650 million over the past ten years. If he had held on to all his shares, Bloomberg estimates his stake would be worth over $2.5 billion at today's prices.FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS TO TECH GIANTBorn in Tamil Nadu, India, Sundar Pichai's early life was far from the corporate offices of Silicon Valley. He grew up in a modest two-room home with limited resources.His family didn't own a car, and their first landline phone was installed when he was 12 years old. His journey to the US began with a scholarship to Stanford University in 1993. To fund his plane ticket, his family had to spend more than his father's annual income of $1,000.Pichai joined Google in 2004 and steadily climbed up the ladder. He played a major role in the development of the Chrome browser and led the Android division. In 2015, he was appointed CEO of Google, and later in 2019, he took over as the CEO of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company.AI INVESTMENTS AND COMPANY GROWTHUnder Pichai's leadership, Alphabet has increased its focus on artificial intelligence. One of his key moves as CEO was to push the company's strategy towards AI. Google's first big step in this direction was acquiring DeepMind, a London-based AI firm, for $400 million in 2014.In 2024 alone, Alphabet spent around $50 billion on AI investments. These included funding data centres, building energy infrastructure, and buying semiconductors. The company recently bought staff and licences from coding startup Windsurf for $2.4 billion.This aggressive push in AI is paying off. Alphabet's second-quarter results beat analyst expectations, with the company announcing a 16% rise in research and development spending. Capital expenditure for 2025 has now been increased by $10 billion to $85 billion.A UNIQUE BILLIONAIRE JOURNEYUnlike many of Silicon Valley's richest names, Pichai is not a company founder. Most billionaires in the tech world, including Mark Zuckerberg and Jensen Huang, built their wealth through founding equity. Pichai's story stands out as a professional CEO who rose through the ranks.advertisementEric Schmidt, another non-founder CEO of Google, also became a billionaire. Schmidt, who led the company from 2001 to 2011, currently holds a net worth of $36.6 billion, mainly through Alphabet shares.Google's original founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, are far ahead. Page is worth $171.2 billion, while Brin is valued at $160.4 billion, making them two of the richest people globally.Apart from tech, Pichai is also investing in sports. He is part of a group of technology executives who recently paid $182 million for a 49% stake in the London Spirit cricket team. The team competes in The Hundred, a newer league in the UK.- Ends
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
29 minutes ago
- India Today
Donald Trump's Truth Social launches Perplexity-powered AI search to take on Google
Truth Social, the social media platform backed by US President Donald Trump, has launched a new artificial intelligence-powered search engine named Truth Search AI, as part of its latest effort to challenge the dominance of Big Tech, especially Google. The beta version of the tool went live on Wednesday, with Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) announcing that it has partnered with San Francisco-based Perplexity, a rising AI startup that offers an 'answer engine' rather than a traditional search platform. 'Powered by Perplexity, a software and AI company dedicated to providing direct, contextually accurate answers with transparent citations, Truth Search AI is intended to enhance the Truth Social platform and exponentially increase the amount of information available to its users,' Trump Media said in a press feature is currently available on the web version of Truth Social, with plans to expand to iOS and Android apps the launch mirrors a broader trend of social media platforms embracing AI, including Elon Musk's Grok chatbot on X and Meta's AI assistant on Instagram and WhatsApp, Truth Search AI has drawn attention for the political context surrounding its rollout. Meanwhile, The National, a UAE state-owned outlet, noted that answers generated by the tool frequently rely on conservative-leaning media such as Fox News and Epoch Times. However, tests by 404Media suggested the tool is not entirely one-sided. In response to questions about the US economy and Trump-era tariffs, the AI reportedly offered surprisingly critical responses, citing economic slowdowns and negative impacts of tariffs. Axios reported that the version of Perplexity used by Truth Social pulls from a narrower set of sources compared to Perplexity's public-facing version. A Perplexity spokesperson confirmed that Truth Social is using its Sonar API, a developer tool that allows customisation — including source Perplexity declined to disclose financial terms of the deal, the company clarified that Truth Social, like other clients, has full control over how the tool is set up. The Sonar API, launched earlier this year, includes features specifically designed to let clients filter or prioritise sources, a top user request, according to the partnership comes at a time when AI is playing a growing role in US policy and tech development. President Trump has made AI a priority in his administration, issuing an executive order earlier this year to remove barriers to American AI leadership. Meanwhile, Perplexity has also attracted criticism over its data practices. The BBC, Forbes, and Dow Jones have all accused the company of copying or republishing material without permission. Perplexity has denied the allegations, claiming they stem from a fundamental misunderstanding of how AI and the internet work.- EndsTune InMust Watch
Hindustan Times
29 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Google Pixel 10 launch: 5 Biggest upgrades to expect on August 20
The Pixel 10 series is confirmed to be unveiled at the upcoming 'Made by Google' event on August 20, 2025. To build hype for the new flagships, Google has been releasing small teasers of the Pixel 10 models, giving us a glimpse into the smartphone design and the new Moonstone colour variant. While the entire lineup looks exciting, the standard Pixel 10 models are expected to be a smart buy this year. Reportedly, the Pixel 10 model is rumoured for a major upgrade, and we can see several Pro-like features coming to the device. Therefore, if you are planning for a flagship upgrade, then know about these 6 biggest upgrades coming to the Google Pixel 10. Google Pixel 10 is likely to offer several upgrades over its predecessor. Here are the 5 biggest upgrades we know so far.(Screengrab/Google) Google Pixel 10: 5 biggest upgrades Improve performance with Tensor G5: Google is expected to introduce the next-generation chip, the Tensor G5, for the entire Pixel 10 lineup. Reportedly, the processor is built with TSMC's 3nm process, bringing greater efficiency and improved performance. Therefore, with Pixel 10, we can expect refined performance in comparison to its predecessor. New telephoto lens and tele-macro feature: The Pixel 10 is expected to feature a new telephoto camera. Earlier, the base model consisted of a dual camera setup that included a main and ultrawide camera. Now, the Pixel 10 will likely feature an 11MP telephoto lens with a Samsung 3J1 sensor. Additionally, Google may introduce the tele-macro feature that may use both telephoto and ultrawide lenses for macro shots. Upgraded display: This year, the Pixel 10 model is expected to feature a 6.3-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with an upgraded 120Hz refresh rate. This year, the smartphone is expected to offer a brighter screen along with improved PWM dimming rate. This is said to reduce eye strain and screen flickering. Qi2 support: The Pixel 10 is expected to offer Qi2 wireless charging. However, it is unclear whether the smartphone will get Qi2 Ready certification or will support the magnets in the phone body. Either way, Qi2 wireless charging is more efficient and convenient. We can also expect a faster charging speed. Google AI Pro free trial: Lastly, Google could offer a Google AI Pro subscription to Pixel 10 users. However, it may have a limited period of 3 or 6 months. With a free trial, users will be able to access the latest AI models, increased cloud storage, video and image generation models, and much more. Despite several upgrades coming to the Google Pixel 10, the price is expected to remain the same as last year. Therefore, buyers can enjoy upgraded features at a similar price to the predecessor. Mobile Finder: Google Pixel 10 Pro LATEST specs, features, and price
News18
37 minutes ago
- News18
Trumps reciprocal tariffs come into effect globally, including India
New York/Washington, Aug 7 (PTI) The initial 25 per cent tariffs announced by the US on Indian imports came into effect Thursday, with President Donald Trump saying billions of dollars from countries that have taken advantage of America will now start flowing into the country. 'It's Midnight!!! Billions of Dollars In Tariffs Are Now Flowing Into The United States Of America!" Trump said in a post on Truth Social as the clock struck 12 midnight in the US, ushering in the August 7 date when the reciprocal tariffs announced on nations by Trump last week come into effect. 'Reciprocal tariffs take effect at midnight tonight! Billions of dollars, largely from countries that have taken advantage of the United States for many years, laughing all the way, will start flowing into the USA. The only thing that can stop America's greatness would be a radical left court that wants to see our country fail!" Trump said in another post. Last week, the White House announced that India will face tariffs of 25 per cent after Trump issued an executive order listing the various duties that Washington will impose on exports from countries around the world. In the Executive Order titled 'Further Modifying The Reciprocal Tariff Rates', Trump had announced tariff rates for nearly 70 nations. The 25 per cent 'Reciprocal Tariff, Adjusted" imposed on India came into effect on Thursday. The tariffs in the list ranged from 10 per cent to 40 per cent, with Japan being charged 15 per cent, Laos and Myanmar (40 per cent each), Pakistan (19 per cent), Sri Lanka (20 per cent) and the United Kingdom (10 per cent). In addition to the 25 per cent tariff announced last week, Trump on Wednesday imposed another 25 per cent levies on India for its purchases of Russian oil, bringing the total duties slapped on India to 50 per cent, among the highest imposed by the US on any country in the world. The additional 25 per cent duty will come into effect after 21 days or August 27. India, responding to the tariffs, said that the targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable. India said that, like any major economy, it will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security. On an additional 25 per cent tariff on India for Russian purchases, Indiaspora, a nonprofit US-based organisation of global Indian diaspora leaders across diverse professions, said in a statement that it believes the 'current setback" in what is otherwise an enduring, robust and broad-based people-to-people relationship will be temporary. 'We remain optimistic that the ongoing discussions, when concluded, will reflect the aspirations of both nations and the global Indian diaspora that believes in them," Indiaspora said. It stressed that with over five million Indian-Americans contributing meaningfully to the US economy, culture, and civic life, the diaspora serves as a living bridge between the world's two largest democracies. 'We believe the US-India relationship is not just important—it is essential. As global dynamics shift, this economic partnership should stand as a cornerstone for stability, innovation, and progress in the 21st century," it said. Ajay Bhutoria, an Indian-American community leader and former advisor to President Joe Biden, said he strongly opposes Trump's decision to impose a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods. 'India supplies nearly half of America's affordable generic drugs. These tariffs will inflate prescription prices, hitting families, seniors, and small businesses hard. Everyday items—spices, lentils, Diwali clothing—will become pricier, with reports estimating apparel and footwear costs could rise 37%," he said. Bhutoria noted that Trump granted China a 90-day tariff pause while targeting India, a key democratic ally, for its energy needs. 'This double standard risks undermining the robust USD 186 billion US-India trade partnership and our shared goal of reaching USD 500 billion by 2030." He underscored that the US and India share a strong, vibrant partnership built on mutual respect, economic ties, and shared values. 'We must work through these challenges together, not through divisive tariffs that hurt both nations. I urge both governments to prioritise dialogue and fair trade solutions that strengthen our alliance and keep costs affordable for our communities." Over the last few months, India and the US held several rounds of negotiations for a bilateral trade deal, but it could not be sealed in view of sharp divergences in certain critical areas, including agriculture and dairy. PTI YAS NSA (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
