Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai warned that every company would feel the impact if the global AI bubble burst. He shared his concerns during an interview with the BBC. Pichai acknowledged rising irrationality surrounding the rapid surge in artificial intelligence investment. He said this trend had fueled a strong tech rally throughout the year. However, he also noted that fears of an AI bubble had triggered recent stock market declines. Investors have sold shares amid concerns of inflated valuations across the technology sector.
When asked if Google could be affected, Pichai said no company would remain immune. He stressed that Alphabet would also face consequences if the sector experienced a severe correction. His comments arrived during a period of heightened global debate over AI’s long-term viability and regulatory future.
Energy Demands Create New Challenges
The interview highlighted concerns linked to AI’s significant energy needs. Pichai said AI required immense power and demanded urgent attention. The International Energy Agency estimated that AI consumed 1.5 percent of global electricity last year. Analysts expect AI’s computing footprint to reach 200 gigawatts by 2030. That figure matches Brazil’s annual electricity consumption. Nearly half of that demand could come from the United States.
Pichai said geopolitical tensions had accelerated a global race to build massive data centers. These facilities house thousands of high-performance chips and require enormous power and complex cooling systems. He said countries must strengthen energy infrastructure and expand clean energy sources. He also admitted Alphabet’s climate targets could face delays due to AI’s expanding energy needs. Despite these challenges, he reaffirmed Alphabet’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.
AI’s Impact on Jobs and Society
Pichai also commented on AI’s influence on global employment. He said AI would cause significant societal disruptions and potentially reshape many professional roles. He even said AI could replace CEOs in the future. However, he stressed that people who adapt to new tools would succeed. He said teachers, doctors and other professionals must learn AI skills to stay competitive.
Alphabet recently reported its first $100 billion quarterly revenue. The company said strong AI-driven demand boosted results. Alphabet has also expanded spending on AI infrastructure and accelerated the global rollout of AI features in Google Search and Gemini models.
