Latest news with #PeoplebyWTF
India.com
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet woman, wife of Indian origin genius who was once paid Rs 8550000000 by Google for..., her name is..., not Sundar Pichai
A $100 million offer — that's what Google reportedly put on the table back in 2011 to keep Neal Mohan, an Indian-American businessman to stop him from joining Twitter, now called as X. The astonishing figure came up during a recent episode of People by WTF, the podcast hosted by Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath. However, not many people know that YouTube CEO Neal Mohan's wife is a poet. According to the official website of Stanford University, the Institute for Research in the Social Sciences, School of Humanities and Sciences, Hema Sareen Mohan has worked for more than 20 years in the nonprofit and public sectors. For a decade, she worked in the California State Senate and County of Santa Clara. Her key policy areas are education and juvenile justice reform. While in the State Senate, Hema Sareen Mohan worked on the landmark state legislation to change the kindergarten entry age and create a new grade known as transitional kindergarten in California public schools. Hema's nonprofit experience includes seven years at the Vera Institute of Justice, a New York-based nonprofit policy and research organization, where she directed a training program for school-based police officers to use positive behavior support techniques with students and worked on an alternative-to-detention program for immigrants in deportation proceedings. In addition, Hema is a published poet and was most recently a finalist for the San Mateo County Poet Laureate. Speaking of her educational qualifications, Hema studied BA in political science from Hunter College and an MPA from Columbia University. Hema Sareen Mohan is married to Neal Mohan, who served as YouTube's Chief Product Officer from 2018 to 2023 before stepping into the role of CEO, succeeding Susan Wojcicki. A native New Yorker, she lives in the Bay Area with her husband and three children. She serves on the boards of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula, The Phillips Brooks School, and the Child & Family Institute. Since 2023, Neal Mohan is the CEO of YouTube.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Meet the Lucknow-born tech whiz whom Google offered over ₹850 crore to stop from joining a rival company
In a riveting episode of People by WTF , hosted by Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath , a fascinating story of ambition, loyalty, and tech-world drama unfolded. The guest? None other than YouTube CEO Neal Mohan — the Lucknow-born man who once received a jaw-dropping ₹855 crore stock offer from Google just to keep him from jumping ship to Twitter . The ₹855 Crore Moment That Changed Silicon Valley's Course Back in 2011, as Twitter was rapidly expanding and scouting for dynamic leadership, they had their eyes set on Neal Mohan for the role of Chief Product Officer. Mohan, already a product visionary at Google, seemed like the perfect fit. With Twitter rebranding and pushing into new territories, it was ready to roll out the red carpet. But Google wasn't about to lose one of its brightest minds. In a move that would go down in corporate lore, Google offered Mohan a staggering $100 million (approximately ₹855 crore) in restricted stock units. These were structured to vest over time, essentially tying him to the company's future and ensuring his continued influence on its most crucial products. This unprecedented counteroffer worked — and Neal Mohan stayed. Kamath brought up this now-legendary moment during their conversation: 'I remember reading this thing about Google offering you $100 million not to quit… not today, but 15 years ago, which was a lot of money.' Mohan responded with a smile and silence — which, in the world of high-stakes tech negotiations, was confirmation enough. A Childhood Split Between Lucknow and Silicon Dreams Long before Mohan became a key player in Google's war room, he was just another young boy walking the hallways of St. Francis' College in Lucknow. His family had moved back to India in 1986 from the U.S., where his father was completing a doctoral degree after attending IIT. Adjusting to India was tough for young Mohan, especially with his American accent and shaky Hindi. But it also helped shape the resilient, cross-cultural thinker he would become. You Might Also Like: From housewife to CEO: She wanted to show her daughter that 'we can balance everything' 'Coming here… I sounded funny. I didn't have those immediate things to connect with people,' he recalled during the podcast. But even then, his love for technology remained unwavering. 'I had a little software startup in high school,' Mohan revealed, recalling how he built educational tools for classmates and teachers — an early hint of the product genius he would later become. From Lucknow to Stanford to Leading YouTube After finishing his schooling in Lucknow, Mohan headed back to the U.S. to study electrical engineering at Stanford University . That marked the beginning of his ascent through the tech universe. His career, shaped by deep technical knowledge and a user-first product philosophy, eventually led him to helm YouTube — one of the world's most influential platforms today. What makes his story exceptional is not just the billion-dollar figures or executive titles, but the rare blend of grounded beginnings and global impact. In a world where tech leaders often seem detached from reality, Mohan's reflections on his humble roots and cultural adjustments make his journey all the more compelling. The Legacy of Saying 'No' Mohan's decision to stay at Google might seem like just another business deal, but in hindsight, it was a turning point for both companies. Had he joined Twitter, its product trajectory could have been vastly different. Instead, he went on to help shape some of Google's most powerful tools — and now oversees the future of content as YouTube's CEO. You Might Also Like: How a Bengaluru techie found her manager's side job. She books Uber, her boss shows up as cab driver So yes, Google paid him a fortune not to leave. But perhaps what they truly bought was time — and the continued brilliance of a small-town boy from Lucknow who never stopped dreaming in code.
Economic Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Meet the Lucknow-born tech whiz whom Google offered over ₹850 crore to stop from joining a rival company
From struggling with Hindi in Lucknow to leading YouTube globally — Neal Mohan's story is anything but ordinary. In a podcast with Nikhil Kamath, Mohan revealed how Google once offered him ₹855 crore to stop him from taking a top job at Twitter. A tale of big money, bold decisions, and the boy who never lost his tech spark. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The ₹855 Crore Moment That Changed Silicon Valley's Course A Childhood Split Between Lucknow and Silicon Dreams Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads From Lucknow to Stanford to Leading YouTube The Legacy of Saying 'No' In a riveting episode of People by WTF, hosted by Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath , a fascinating story of ambition, loyalty, and tech-world drama unfolded. The guest? None other than YouTube CEO Neal Mohan — the Lucknow-born man who once received a jaw-dropping ₹855 crore stock offer from Google just to keep him from jumping ship to Twitter Back in 2011, as Twitter was rapidly expanding and scouting for dynamic leadership, they had their eyes set on Neal Mohan for the role of Chief Product Officer. Mohan, already a product visionary at Google, seemed like the perfect fit. With Twitter rebranding and pushing into new territories, it was ready to roll out the red carpet. But Google wasn't about to lose one of its brightest a move that would go down in corporate lore, Google offered Mohan a staggering $100 million (approximately ₹855 crore) in restricted stock units. These were structured to vest over time, essentially tying him to the company's future and ensuring his continued influence on its most crucial products. This unprecedented counteroffer worked — and Neal Mohan brought up this now-legendary moment during their conversation: 'I remember reading this thing about Google offering you $100 million not to quit… not today, but 15 years ago, which was a lot of money.' Mohan responded with a smile and silence — which, in the world of high-stakes tech negotiations, was confirmation before Mohan became a key player in Google's war room, he was just another young boy walking the hallways of St. Francis' College in Lucknow. His family had moved back to India in 1986 from the U.S., where his father was completing a doctoral degree after attending IIT. Adjusting to India was tough for young Mohan, especially with his American accent and shaky Hindi. But it also helped shape the resilient, cross-cultural thinker he would become.'Coming here… I sounded funny. I didn't have those immediate things to connect with people,' he recalled during the podcast. But even then, his love for technology remained unwavering. 'I had a little software startup in high school,' Mohan revealed, recalling how he built educational tools for classmates and teachers — an early hint of the product genius he would later finishing his schooling in Lucknow, Mohan headed back to the U.S. to study electrical engineering at Stanford University . That marked the beginning of his ascent through the tech universe. His career, shaped by deep technical knowledge and a user-first product philosophy, eventually led him to helm YouTube — one of the world's most influential platforms makes his story exceptional is not just the billion-dollar figures or executive titles, but the rare blend of grounded beginnings and global impact. In a world where tech leaders often seem detached from reality, Mohan's reflections on his humble roots and cultural adjustments make his journey all the more decision to stay at Google might seem like just another business deal, but in hindsight, it was a turning point for both companies. Had he joined Twitter, its product trajectory could have been vastly different. Instead, he went on to help shape some of Google's most powerful tools — and now oversees the future of content as YouTube's yes, Google paid him a fortune not to leave. But perhaps what they truly bought was time — and the continued brilliance of a small-town boy from Lucknow who never stopped dreaming in code.
NDTV
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
"I Sounded Funny": YouTube CEO Neal Mohan Opens Up About His Schooling In Lucknow
Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath recently engaged in a conversation with YouTube CEO Neal Mohan on his latest episode of his podcast 'People by WTF'. The two discussed a range of topics, from the impact of social media on politics to tips for cracking the platform's algorithm. Apart from the serious topics, Mr Mohan also reflected on his early years in Lucknow, his childhood in the US and how moving to America shaped his interest. During the podcast, Mr Mohan shared that he was born in India to a father who had studied at IIT. At a young age, he moved to the United States when his father was pursuing a PhD. "So when my parents were grad students was when I was born," Mr Mohan said, adding that he spent most of his childhood in the US. Mr Mohan and his family then moved back to India in 1986. He joined Lucknow's St Francis College, where he spent five years. He then returned to the US to pursue electrical engineering at Stanford University. "I grew up on Transformers and Star Wars and all of that," Mr Mohan said. The YouTube chief revealed that moving back to Lucknow in Seventh grade was challenging for him, given his lack of fluency in Hindi. "When growing up in the US, I loved baseball, I loved, you know, Transformers, etc, etc. And then coming here, where you know, I sounded funny. I didn't have, sort of like, those immediate things to connect with people on," he revealed. Further, Mr Mohan said he was always interested in technology, even as a teenager. "My background is I am a technologist by training. I've been interested in - let's say, passionate about - technology since I was a really young kid," he told Mr Kamath. "I went to high school in Lucknow. I had a little software startup back in the day, building software for other high school kids and teachers, and so I've always had a deep and abiding interest in technology," he shared. Elsewhere in the podcast, Mr Mohan shared the mantra to be successful on YouTube. He emphasised that YouTube rewards creators who genuinely engage with their audience, rather than those who try to game the algorithm. He explained that building a fanbase on the platform required authenticity. "You're not going to build a fan base if you're not authentic. Fans figure that out very, very quickly," he said. Mr Mohan also highlighted that successful creators thrive because they are passionate about their content, not just their products.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bill Gates says teachers, doctors could be replaced by AI in 10 years — how will US workers fare?
Bill Gates isn't sugarcoating it: Artificial intelligence is coming for jobs. And not just blue-collar ones. In a recent episode of the People by WTF podcast, the Microsoft co-founder laid out a vision of the future in which AI tools take over some of the most essential professions in America, including teaching and medicine. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) But instead of sounding the alarm, Gates insisted it's a good thing — even as millions of workers brace for change. "We've always had a shortage of doctors, teachers, of people to work in the factories. Those shortages won't exist," Gates told host Nikhil Kamath. 'AI will come in and provide medical IQ, and there won't be a shortage." Gates also spoke to The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon about the transition. 'Will we still need humans?' Fallon asked. 'Not for most things,' Gates replied. So what are the implications for working Americans? Gates zeroed in on two industries already under pressure: teaching and health care — markets that have historically suffered labor gaps, especially in rural areas of the U.S. AI, Gates believes, can fill in the gaps or at least relieve some of the burden. In schools, AI-powered tutoring tools are already being tested, offering personalized help for students in reading and math, according to Government Technology. In health care, companies like Suki, Zephyr AI and Tennr can now generate clinical decision support, helping doctors diagnose faster and more accurately, says Business Insider. 'Years from now, AI will have changed things enough that just this pure capitalistic framework probably won't explain much, because as AIs, both as sort of white-collar type work and as blue-collar workers, the robots will get good hands and are able to do the physical things that humans do,' Gates told Kamath. 'We will have created, you know, free intelligence.' Read more: This hedge fund legend warns US stock market will crash a stunning 80% — claims 'Armageddon' is coming. Don't believe him? He earned 4,144% during COVID. Here's 3 ways to protect yourself It's not just teachers and doctors. Numerous industries are facing an AI invasion. Besides some of the other industries that Gates mentions, like construction, cleaning companies and factory workers, the impact has already trickled down to customer service and IT support. For instance, AI chatbots — with wildly inconsistent success — have already assumed much of the 'first response' nature of product support on the web. For some, AI may simply become a co-pilot, a helper that boosts productivity. But for others, it could mean full-on job replacement. Gates doesn't deny that. What he argues is that the tradeoff might be worth it. In Gates' ideal scenario, AI takes over routine tasks and frees people up to pursue more leisure. He envisions a world where the standard 40-hour workweek shrinks and people enjoy better work-life balance. But critics aren't buying the utopia just yet. A recent United Nations report warned that AI could affect 40% of jobs worldwide, raising concerns about automation and job displacement. 'The benefits of AI-driven automation often favour capital over labour, which could widen inequality and reduce the competitive advantage of low-cost labour in developing economies,' the report said. So while the industry is expected to reach $4.8 trillion, the UN says the payoff will be 'highly concentrated.' According to UN Women, there's also the issue of bias and reliability. AI tools have been shown to replicate racial and gender disparities, particularly in hiring and health care decisions — trends that could compound, not solve, existing problems. Gates isn't alone in predicting AI's rise. But believe it or not, he's one of the few tech leaders still mostly optimistic about it. If his vision holds, workers may need to pivot fast. That could mean refining skills that complement AI, rather than compete with it. Things like critical thinking, emotional intelligence and creativity are talents that machine thinking may be more likely to struggle with … for now. It's also a wake-up call for policymakers to think ahead. The transition could be bumpy, but with the right guardrails, it might just lead to a smarter economy. At least, that's what Gates is betting on. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
