Sundar Pichai, born as Pichai Sundararajan, is a prominent figure in the tech industry. As the CEO of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company, and Google itself, he holds immense responsibility. His role involves overseeing the strategic direction and operations of these technology giants.
June 10, 1972: Birth of Sundar Pichai
Sundar Pichai, whose birth name is Pichai Sundararajan, was born on June 10, 1972. He is widely recognized as the CEO of Alphabet Inc. and its subsidiary, Google.
2004: Sundar Pichai Joins Google
In 2004, Sundar Pichai joined Google, marking the beginning of his journey with the tech giant.
November 19, 2009: Pichai Demonstrates ChromeOS
On November 19, 2009, Sundar Pichai presented a demonstration of ChromeOS, Google's operating system designed primarily for web-based applications, marking an important step in its development.
May 20, 2010: Open-Sourcing VP8 and Introduction of WebM
On May 20, 2010, Sundar Pichai announced Google's decision to open-source the VP8 video codec. During this event, he also introduced WebM, a new video format.
2010: Open-Sourcing VP8 and Introduction of WebM
In 2010, Sundar Pichai spearheaded Google's initiative to open-source the VP8 video codec, a significant move in video technology. He also introduced WebM, a new video format.
2011: Chromebook Released for Trial and Testing
In 2011, the Chromebook, developed under the leadership of Sundar Pichai, was released for trial and testing, gathering feedback before its official launch.
2012: Release of the Chromebook
The Chromebook, a project significantly led by Sundar Pichai, was officially released to the public in 2012.
March 13, 2013: Pichai's Expanding Role at Google: Android Oversight
Sundar Pichai's responsibilities within Google continued to grow, and on March 13, 2013, he assumed control of Android after its previous head, Andy Rubin, transitioned to Jive Software.
2013: Pichai Takes Charge of Android
Sundar Pichai's responsibilities at Google expanded significantly in 2013 when he took over the helm of Android, adding the mobile operating system to his growing portfolio.
2014: Pichai Considered for Microsoft CEO
Sundar Pichai's leadership qualities were recognized outside of Google, and in 2014, he was considered a potential candidate for the position of CEO at Microsoft. However, the position ultimately went to Satya Nadella.
August 10, 2015: Pichai Named CEO of Google
On August 10, 2015, Sundar Pichai was chosen to be the next CEO of Google, succeeding Larry Page.
October 24, 2015: Pichai Assumes CEO Role at Google
Sundar Pichai officially stepped into the role of CEO of Google on October 24, 2015, following the establishment of Alphabet Inc., Google's new parent company.
2016: Pichai Named to Time's 100 Most Influential People
Sundar Pichai's impact was recognized globally in 2016 when he was included in Time magazine's prestigious list of the 100 most influential people.
August 2017: Controversy over Employee Firing
In August 2017, Sundar Pichai faced public scrutiny and controversy for firing a Google employee who authored a lengthy memo criticizing the company's diversity policies.
December 2017: Pichai Speaks at World Internet Conference in China
In December 2017, Sundar Pichai participated as a speaker at the World Internet Conference held in China. During the conference, he highlighted Google's role in supporting Chinese businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, in expanding their reach to international markets.
2017: Appointment to Alphabet Board of Directors
In 2017, Sundar Pichai was appointed to the Board of Directors at Alphabet Inc., solidifying his leadership role within the company.
December 11, 2018: Pichai Testifies Before US House Judiciary Committee
On December 11, 2018, Sundar Pichai provided testimony before the United States House Judiciary Committee. The questioning focused on various Google-related issues, including allegations of political bias in Google's platforms, the company's alleged pursuit of a censored search app for the Chinese market, and its data privacy practices. Pichai addressed the committee's concerns, asserting that Google employees have no influence over search results and emphasizing user choice in data collection. He also refuted claims of a censored search engine in China.
December 2019: Pichai Becomes CEO of Alphabet Inc.
Sundar Pichai's role expanded further in December 2019 when he was named the CEO of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company.
2020: Pichai Makes Time's 100 Most Influential People Again
In 2020, Sundar Pichai was once again recognized for his global influence by being included in Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people.
2022: Pichai's Compensation and Employee Criticism Amid Layoffs
In 2022, Sundar Pichai received over $200 million in compensation from Alphabet Inc. This large sum drew criticism from many employees, particularly in light of the extensive layoffs that Google carried out in 2023.
2022: Pichai Receives Padma Bhushan Award
In recognition of his contributions to trade and industry, Sundar Pichai was honored with the Padma Bhushan award by the Government of India in 2022. This prestigious award is the third-highest civilian honor bestowed by the Indian government.
2023: Layoffs at Google Spark Controversy
Google, under the leadership of Sundar Pichai, underwent a period of significant layoffs in 2023. The move sparked controversy and criticism, particularly given Pichai's high compensation.