AI to leave research labs and enter everyday work in five years: Sundar Pichai

New Delhi: Artificial intelligence is preparing to leave the lab coat behind. Over the next five years, AI will move beyond research laboratories and early adopters and become part of everyday work across sectors, according to Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and its parent Alphabet.

Pichai made the remarks in a special video message marking the 75th anniversary of IIT Kharagpur, his alma mater. He said the next phase of AI adoption would see the technology move into the hands of people doing everyday work rather than remaining concentrated among researchers and early users.

Healthcare workers, government officials, farmers, developers and entrepreneurs are among those Pichai expects to increasingly use AI in their work.

The Google CEO said the aim is not simply to introduce another layer of technology, but to help people work more effectively and find greater fulfilment in what they do.

His comments come as businesses and institutions are moving from experimenting with generative AI to integrating it into day-to-day workflows. AI tools are already being used across areas such as research, software development, legal work, pharmaceuticals and advertising, although questions around accuracy, jobs and responsible adoption remain.

Pichai also highlighted India’s growing ability to develop innovations with relevance beyond its domestic market. He said universities and young Indians would have an important role in ensuring that the benefits of AI reach a wider section of society.

For Pichai, the next five years could therefore mark a shift in AI’s story, from what happens inside research labs to what happens in farms, hospitals, government offices, businesses and workplaces every day.