At the World Government Summit (WGS) 2025 in Dubai, Google CEO Sundar Pichai addressed global concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) replacing jobs, stating that AI will create new opportunities rather than eliminate them.
During a conversation with Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, Pichai emphasized that governments must invest in AI infrastructure and workforce upskilling, citing the UAE as a global leader in AI preparedness.
AI’s Role in Job Creation
Pichai referenced a study by an MIT professor, which found that 60% of jobs created since 1940 did not exist before. He highlighted how new industries emerge as technology evolves:
“In the year 2000, no one envisioned that there could be someone called a YouTube creator. Today, there are millions of creators, and they are real small businesses. They generate value and employ other people and so on.”
He also noted how AI enhances industries rather than replacing them, using chess as an example:
“We’ve seen that AI is the best chess player in the world, and that’s been true for a long, long time. Chess is more popular than ever before, and more people are playing chess now.”
Over time, he said, human skills, creativity, and experiences will continue to hold value, even as AI becomes more advanced.
UAE’s Leadership in AI and Digital Infrastructure
Pichai praised the UAE’s proactive approach to AI development, highlighting the country’s commitment to:
- Building AI infrastructure
- Investing in digital education and workforce training
- Creating policies that encourage AI adoption
“I want to give credit to the UAE as it always surprises me. You (Omar) became the national AI Minister in 2017, which is pretty far-sighted. There’s going to be no technology which would impact your economy as much as AI.”
He emphasized that other governments should follow the UAE’s model, investing in AI infrastructure and digital upskilling programs to remain competitive in the global economy.
Managing AI Risks and Encouraging Innovation
While AI presents significant opportunities, Pichai also stressed the importance of responsible development:
“On the risk side, all of us need to be responsible with this technology (AI). The opportunity space is huge, but it’s a powerful technology. It can be a self-improving technology, so make sure you’re developing competency to evaluate and assess risks and take the appropriate steps over time.”
He added that global standards and regulations are necessary to ensure AI is used ethically and safely.
Pichai also underscored the importance of fostering a risk-taking culture, especially among businesses and governments:
“We used to say we need to have a healthy disregard for the impossible. We always felt that if you encourage people to work on very ambitious things, even if you fail, whatever you end up doing will be very, very valuable.”
“You have to have an optimistic culture. The culture of curiosity encourages optimism and really pushes people to take risks. You should not punish failures but encourage risk-taking in your culture.”
Google’s Efforts to Combat AI Deepfakes
Pichai also highlighted Google’s ongoing efforts to tackle deepfake content, stating:
“We are definitely developing technology and open-sourcing it. So we are watermarking image generation and also open-sourcing detection tools. We need to work with other companies to create a standard around it.”
As AI-generated content becomes more widespread, Google is committed to ensuring transparency and safety in AI advancements.
Moving Ahead
At WGS 2025, Sundar Pichai reinforced AI’s positive impact on job creation, economic transformation, and innovation. He dismissed fears of mass job losses, urging governments and businesses to embrace AI, invest in workforce development, and encourage innovation.
With the UAE leading the way in AI readiness, Pichai called for global investment in AI infrastructure, regulation, and risk management to ensure AI remains a force for progress.
