1. Home
  2. English
  3. Business
  4. G20: India’s Presidency to boost the global economy, spread internet, says Google’s Pichai
G20: India’s Presidency to boost the global economy, spread internet, says Google’s Pichai

G20: India’s Presidency to boost the global economy, spread internet, says Google’s Pichai

0

Virendra Pandit 

 

New Delhi: With India taking over the G20 Presidency on Thursday for the year 2023, the South Asian country has got an amazing opportunity to build consensus on strengthening the global economy by advancing an internet that is open, connected, secure, and works for everyone, Google chief said.

“That’s a goal we share, and are committed to advancing with you,” Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai said on Friday.

He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Digital India’ vision has certainly been an accelerator, “and I’m proud that Google continues to invest in India, partnering with governments, businesses, and communities over two transformative decades.”

“Every new technology that arrived at our doorstep made our lives better. And that experience put me on a path to Google, and the chance to help build technology that improves the lives of people all over the world,” he said.

India formally assumed the G20 Presidency on Thursday.

Stating that he saw so much opportunity ahead, Pichai added: “I am grateful for the opportunity to do this work together and bring the benefits of technology to more people.”

The 50-year-old top Indian-American technocrat, who received Padma Bhushan Award 2022, India’s third highest civilian honor, from its Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, said: “I am deeply grateful to the Indian government and the people of India for this immense honor. It is incredibly meaningful to be honored in this way by the country that shaped me.”

The Madurai-born Pichai was chosen among 17 people for the award earlier this year in the Trade and Industry category. He received it in the presence of his close family members in San Francisco on Friday.

He said that it had been amazing to return to India many times over the years to see the rapid pace of technological change.

The innovations created in India are benefitting people around the world – from digital payments to voice technology, he said.

“I look forward to continuing the great partnership between Google and India, as we work together to bring the benefits of technology to more people,” he said.

Businesses are seizing the opportunities for digital transformation, and more people have access to the internet than ever before, including in rural villages, Pichai said.

“India is a part of me. I carry it with me wherever I go. I was fortunate to grow up in a family that cherished learning and knowledge, with parents who sacrificed a lot to make sure I had opportunities to explore my interests,” Pichai said in a blog post late on Friday.

Google recently announced investments of USD 10 billion in India’s digital future, working to enable more affordable internet access, building products for India’s unique needs, helping businesses of all sizes in their digital transformation, and using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to tackle significant societal challenges.

“We’re also investing deeply in digital skilling and have trained over 1 million women through our WomenWill Entrepreneurship Program and over 55,000 teachers in partnership with the government and local organizations,” he said.

The tech giant sponsored over 100,000 Google Career Certificate sponsorships in collaboration with the NASSCOM Foundation and Tata Strive.

“Earlier this year, we added 24 new languages to Google Translate using a new advancement in machine learning. Eight of them are languages native to India… It means so much to see how people can access information and knowledge in their preferred language, and see the world open up to them in new ways. That’s why I continue to be so optimistic about technology and believe India can and must continue to lead,” he added.

India’s Consul-General in San Francisco, T V Nagendra Prasad, was also present during the event.

Sandhu said that Pichai represented the limitless possibilities of technology for transformation. “He has been making commendable efforts towards making digital tools, and skills accessible to across various segments of the society in different parts of the globe,” he said.

Recalling PM Modi’s vision of technology that combines 3Ss—speed, simplicity, and service—Ambassador Sandhu hoped Google would fully use India’s digital revolution.

LEAVE YOUR COMMENT

Your email address will not be published.

Join our WhatsApp Channel

And stay informed with the latest news and updates.

Join Now
revoi whats app qr code