Google's Sundar Pichai is doing the 'unexpected' as CEO and wishes he could ...
Google CEO Sundar Pichai is taking a hands-on approach to AI-driven software development, casually building web apps using AI coding assistants. Speaking at the Bloomberg's Tech conference in San Francisco, Pichai revealed that he has been experimenting with AI-powered tools like Cursor and Replit, engaging in what he calls 'vibe coding'—a method where developers use natural language prompts to generate code instead of manually programming.
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"I wish I could do more," Pichai said. This approach reflects his belief that AI will fundamentally reshape how work gets done, from entry-level tasks to C-suite responsibilities.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai himself using AI tools to 'vibe code'
Sundar Pichai revealed he's been "
vibe coding
"—using AI assistants like Cursor and Replit to build custom webpages through simple prompts rather than manual programming. The term 'vibe coding' refers to a more intuitive, AI-assisted approach to programming, where developers describe their desired outcome in plain language, and AI tools generate the necessary code.
Pichai explained that he has been using this technique to build a custom webpage that aggregates his preferred sources of information.
"I've just been messing around—either with Cursor or I vibe coded with Replit—trying to build a custom webpage with all the sources of information I wanted in one place," Pichai said.
AI is not replacing human engineers: Google CEO Sundar Pichai
Pichai's experimentation highlights Google's broader vision for
AI-powered coding
, where AI assistants help streamline development, reduce repetitive tasks, and enhance productivity.
He emphasised that AI is not replacing human engineers, but rather augmenting their capabilities, allowing them to focus on problem-solving and creativity.
During the wide-ranging interview, Pichai addressed mounting criticism about Google's AI momentum, acknowledging concerns while maintaining confidence in the company's long-term strategy. "I just view this as making engineers dramatically more productive, getting a lot of the mundane aspects out of what they do," he explained, framing AI as an accelerator for human capability.
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