Latest news with #LexFridman
Business Times
20 hours ago
- Business
- Business Times
AI and the disappearing pause
'IT'S interesting to see progress through the arc of time,' Google chief executive officer Sundar Pichai said recently on Lex Fridman's podcast. It aptly describes a huge shift happening in business right now; a change in how we even think about something as basic as time. Time used to be one of the few constants in global business. We had clear deadlines, synchronised news cycles, 'follow-the-sun' business models. New York would open for business as Singapore was winding down. The world had a predictable beat, even if not perfectly aligned. But something has shifted. We no longer share time. We consume it. And as we do, something else has stepped in to seemingly unify us: artificial intelligence (AI). Released recently, Apple's latest white paper, The Illusion of Thinking: Understanding the Strengths and Limitations of Reasoning Models via the Lens of Problem Complexity, offered a timely warning about the limits of what we perceive as AI's true 'reasoning' capabilities, particularly when faced with increasing complexity. This research could not be more relevant, as we navigate a world where time itself feels fractured. Not just by time zone, but by our very experience of it. Our screens update instantly, yet our minds need more time to catch up. Trends explode in minutes, but decisions stretch across weeks. Some teams are 'on' 24/7, while others are experimenting with four-day weeks, all creating a fragmented sense of pace. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up The clock is dead; long live the code AI has replaced traditional time as the driver of business speed. It works across time zones, never sleeps and always responds. AI is becoming the first thing everyone relies on. It is global, immediate and relentlessly consistent. Feed a business challenge into an AI tool and in less than a minute, a well-structured response will appear. Discuss it with the team and I assure you that someone will say, 'That's actually good enough to run with.' But that is precisely the problem. Not because it is inaccurate, because it probably is not. But because it is almost always predictably coherent. It offers no friction, no doubt. There would not be a spark of tension. This is where the real shift is happening. AI is collapsing time while expanding output. We get more done in less time. But in doing so, it threatens to erase something businesses have not yet learnt how to measure – the value of shared deliberation. Even Bill Gates, during a recent visit to Singapore, admitted, 'If I had a switch to slow down AI, I might use it.' It was a rare concession from one of technology's most persistent optimists, and a reminder that just because something moves fast, does not mean we are ready to move with it at the same pace. The disappearance of productive discomfort When humans worked to the same clock, decisions took time. But that time created space for discussion, disagreement or even deep reflection. Not all of it was efficient, but much of it was productive discomfort. Productive discomfort is that critical pause before commitment; the challenge before reaching consensus. AI, by contrast, skips the pause. It generates answers before humans even begin to ask follow-up questions. I am not saying it is wrong, but it removes resistance – which is the very thing that often leads to better insight. With less shared time and more AI, companies might move quickly but without much deep thought. This is not an argument against AI. It is an argument for reasserting intentional rhythm in a world where machines are increasingly dictating the pace at which we need to move. If AI is the new constant, then leaders must become designers of pace, friction and flow. That begins with reintroducing cadence. For example, how does one create deliberate moments where teams step back from tools and re-engage with deeper thought. Not all tasks require instant answers. We know this from years of human experience and insight. Next, we need to embrace useful pauses. Taking a bit more time should not be seen as a weakness. This strategic lag can bring back important context, deeper understanding and clearer thinking into our decisions. Finally, we need to tell the difference between 'fast' and 'finished'. Just because AI gives an instant answer does not mean the discussion is over. Often, that is where the real thinking should just begin. In short, we need to create thoughtful counterbalances to the hyper-efficiency AI enables. Do not get me wrong. This is not to slow progress, but to ensure we still know what progress means. The new role of leadership In the past, when everyone largely shared the same work hours, great leaders were like timekeepers. They set the pace, coordinated schedules and organised how work flowed. Today, their role has changed. Leaders must now become guardians of how we use time. They need to decide not only what tasks are completed, but also when they are done, how quickly and how much thought goes into them. We used to organise business around time. Now, increasingly, we organise it around AI. Leadership today should not be about rejecting the technology. It is about knowing when to slow it down. Deliberately, and for the right reasons. Because AI moves in seconds, but strategy and orchestration still takes time. The writer is head of Singapore at Sling & Stone
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Should not overthink big decisions, advices Google's Sundar Pichai. Here's the simple formula he follows instead
As the CEO of Alphabet and Google, Sundar Pichai is no stranger to high-stakes decisions, tight deadlines, and intense pressure. Yet, the leader of the $1.92 trillion tech giant says his ability to stay composed and act decisively stems from habits he formed long before reaching the top. In several recent public interactions, including at Stanford Business School, Bloomberg's Tech Conference, and on the Lex Fridman podcast, Pichai has shed light on the mindset and principles that help him lead effectively. A Simple Two-Step Approach to Pressure At the core of Pichai's leadership is a straightforward mantra: make a decision quickly and remember that most choices are not permanent. He learned this during his time as a graduate student, and it remains his go-to method in high-pressure environments. When faced with conflicting suggestions from teams, Pichai prefers to act swiftly rather than get stuck in prolonged analysis. According to him, the very act of deciding is what keeps projects moving. Reflecting on his approach, he said that what may feel like a weighty decision in the moment often turns out to be less consequential in hindsight. He sees mistakes as part of the process, not something to fear — a mindset that enables learning and course correction when necessary. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Car Will Look Brand New After One Use of This Cleaning Agent! Make Your Car Look Like New Undo The Influence of Bill Campbell Pichai attributes much of his leadership growth to the late Bill Campbell, the former Intuit CEO and advisor to several Silicon Valley leaders. During his time at Stanford, Campbell would regularly meet with Pichai and ask him one particular question: 'What ties did you break this week?' The question left a lasting impression. It helped Pichai understand that effective leaders don't just guide teams — they step in to resolve deadlocks. This weekly challenge from Campbell trained him to get comfortable with final decisions, even in moments of uncertainty. Over time, this habit became central to how he handles leadership at scale, especially at a company like Google where hesitation can slow down innovation. Choosing Growth Over Comfort Beyond handling pressure, Pichai also shared his perspective on professional growth. Speaking on the Lex Fridman podcast, he encouraged young professionals to work with individuals who push them out of their comfort zones. In his view, working with people who are more skilled or knowledgeable can stretch one's own abilities and unlock personal growth. He stressed the importance of entering challenging environments and being willing to feel uncomfortable — because that's often where development happens. Pichai also touched on the importance of finding joy in work. He believes that people should listen to their inner instincts when choosing a career path. While it can be difficult to identify work one truly enjoys, he recommended paying attention to what feels meaningful, as it can make a significant difference in the long term. Balancing Work and Rest Despite the demands of his role, Pichai doesn't ignore the basics. He shared that sleep remains a priority in his routine, even if it's not always ideal. His goal is to get six hours of sleep each night, and while that may not sound like much, he sees consistency as key. It's one of the ways he maintains focus and energy in a role that requires constant attention. When asked about the future leadership of Google, Pichai humorously remarked at a tech conference that his successor will likely have an 'extraordinary AI companion.' His comment reflected how deeply artificial intelligence is being integrated into the company's operations. Yet, he emphasized that AI is not a replacement for human workers. Instead, he sees it as a tool that can enhance productivity — and he reaffirmed Google's plans to continue hiring engineers through 2026.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Shocking footage re-emerges of RFK Jr's outrageous claims about vital vaccine that's saved millions
Doctors have lambasted the US' most senior health chief for 'outrageous' claims made about one of the most life-saving vaccines. In a viral clip that's resurfaced on social media, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, Trump's Health Secretary, can be seen suggesting that the polio vaccine killed more people than it saved. 'The polio vaccine contained a virus called SV40. It is one of the most carcinogenic materials known to man,' the 71 year-old said in a filmed interview with computer scientist Lex Fridman, which was originally broadcasted in 2023. 'In fact it is used now by scientists around the world to induce tumours in rats and guinea pigs in lab. 'And now you've had this explosion of soft tissue cancers that kill many many many many many more people than polio ever did.' The polio jab, which is known to have prevented 1.5million deaths, protects from a killer virus that invades the nervous system and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours. It is thought to have warded off some 20million cases of severe disability. Reacting to a clip of the interview, which has so far garnered 2.6million views on X (formerly Twitter), Dr Neil Stone, an infectious disease specialist based in London, accused RFK of talking 'nonsense'. RFK Jr: The polio vaccine 'killed far more people' than the polio virus itself. — The Intellectualist (@highbrow_nobrow) June 14, 2025 'Remembering this outrageous piece of nonsense from your HHS Secretary,' he wrote. 'To be clear, for those who need the blatantly obvious spelled out to them, the polio vaccine has NOT killed more people than polio itself.' Other doctors have commented on the X video to say it simply isn't true, including a genetic specialist at Washington University, Professor Mike White. He wrote: 'This easily disproven lie should be completely disqualifying for a health influencer with no official responsibilities.' In another comment, paediatrician Dr Carol Kennon called RFK's claims 'completely fallacious. 'Vaccines represent a first rate approach to preventive medicine,' she added. 'Years of vaccine success saving lives is a monumental public health achievement.' Meanwhile, another medical expert pointed out that the jab has meant that '20 million people who would have been paralysed can walk today'. 'Approximately 1.5 million lives have been saved so far.' 'Globally, all childhood vaccines—including polio—have saved a staggering ~154 million lives since 1974.' Claims that the polio jab fuelled a 'cancer virus' in millions of Americans have been thoroughly debunked. The conspiracy stems from an misrepresentation of the contents of a fact sheet put out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) over a decade ago. In the document, the agency said between 10 to 30 per cent of the 98 million shots administered between 1955 and 1863 were contaminated with the SV40. But they added that most studies had found no causal relationship between SV40 and cancer in humans, despite small experiments finding a link in laboratory rodents. In the viral clip, the now health chief elaborated: 'So if you say to me, "was the polio vaccine effective against polio? I'm going to say yes. 'If you say to me, "did it cause more deaths than it averted?" I would say, I don't know, because we don't have the data on that.' He then said he couldn't be sure of the figures. Mr Kennedy has recently U-turned on his attitudes towards the jab. In his first appearance after being nominated by President Donald Trump in December last year, for the position of US Health and Human Services chief, he said he was 'all for' the polio vaccine. This followed reports that RFK's top advisor, Aaron Siri, was pushing to revoke the polio vaccine's approval. The health secretary, who is the nephew of JFK, has made a series of bizarre health claims over the years. This includes that a worm 'ate' part of his brain, chemicals are making children question their gender identity and vaccines cause autism. Polio is a highly infectious disease, mostly affecting young children, that used to be common all over the world and killed roughly 750 people every year in Britain before the introduction of the vaccine. The disease itself can spread to the spinal cord, causing muscle weakness and in rare cases paralysis and death. This led to polio becoming one of the most feared diseases globally by the mid-20th century, paralysing or killing half a million people every year. Those who survive the disease were often affected for life with deformed limbs that needed leg braces, crutches or wheelchairs. In some cases, people needed a breathing device like the iron lung that has long been associated with the disease. A first successful vaccine was created in the 1950s which was followed by several others years later. The UK was declared polio-free in 2003, while the US was declared polio-free by 1979. In Britain, the polio vaccine is given to children aged eight, 12, and 16 weeks old as part of the 6-in-1 vaccines. It also given at three years and four months old as part of the 4-in-1 pre-school booster and at 14 years old as part of the 3-in-1 teenage booster. The NHS says you need all five vaccinations to be fully protected against polio. Meanwhile in the US, the CDC recommends children get four doses of the vaccine at two months old, four months old, six to 18 months old and four to six years old. The vaccine reduced polio cases by more than 99 per cent since 1988—preventing around 20million people from becoming paralysed. It comes as the health chief outlined plans to ban synthetic food dyes from the US food supply as part of a broader move to chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes. In response, the company behind Kraft Mac and Cheese and Heinz Tomato Ketchup, Kraft Heinze, announced it will remove artificial colours from its products by 2027. The company said nearly 90 per cent of its US products are already free of artifical colours or synthetic dyes. But they have also pledged to not launch any new products with artificial colours in the US effective immediately. Other products that use these dyes include Kool Aid, Crystal Light, MiO, Jet-Puffed marshmallows and Jell-O (a gelatine dessert).
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'The Cuckoo Comes Out Every Thousand Years': Jeff Bezos Spent $42 Million On A 10,000-Year Clock —But Says United States 'Won't Exist' For That Long
to moonshots. But this one's not heading to space—it's heading deep inside a mountain. The Amazon founder and world's third-richest man has spent a cool $42 million building a 500-foot-tall mechanical clock designed to tick just once a year, nestled inside a remote mountain in West Texas. It's called the 10,000 Year Clock, and yes, it's exactly what it sounds like: a clock built to run for 10,000 years, powered by thermal cycles and visitors turning a giant hand-crank. Because obviously, if you're a billionaire thinking long-term, your timepiece should outlive every civilization that's ever existed. Don't Miss: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – "The 10,000 Year Clock is a physical clock of monumental scale," Bezos explained on Lex Fridman's podcast in 2023. "It ticks once a year, chimes every hundred years, and the cuckoo comes out every thousand years." And yes—there's a cuckoo. But don't expect it to pop out anytime soon. The whole idea started in the mind of inventor Danny Hillis, who's been obsessed with long-term thinking since 1989. He envisioned a clock that forces people to confront time on a scale they're not used to—one where 100 years is just a tick of the hand. Hillis wanted the clock to serve as a symbol, not just a gadget. Bezos? He bought into the vision—and then some. "We need to start training ourselves to think longer term," Bezos said. "Long-term thinking is a giant lever. You can literally solve problems if you think long-term that are impossible to solve if you think short-term." That's the heart of this project: long-term thinking. As Bezos sees it, humanity has leveled up—technologically speaking—but the way we think hasn't caught up. We're still obsessed with quarterly earnings and election cycles, while the problems we're creating stretch far beyond a single human lifespan. Trending: Invest where it hurts — and help millions heal:. The location isn't exactly tourist-friendly. It's in the middle of nowhere for a reason. "It's in a remote location, both to protect it, but also so that visitors have to kind of make a pilgrimage," Bezos said. Think of it like Burning Man meets a mechanical wonder of the world. The idea is that over time, the trek to see the clock becomes part of the experience—an intentional journey to ponder time, legacy, and whatever humanity looks like hundreds or even thousands of years from now. When complete, visitors will encounter carved-out chambers marking anniversaries: 1 year, 10 years, 100, 1,000, and 10,000. The one-year chamber features an orrery, a mechanical model of the solar system, complete with not just planets but also interplanetary probes launched during the 20th century. Because when you're building something to outlive empires, you don't stop at Earth. Despite all the engineering wizardry, the clock won't just keep ticking on its own. Visitors must power it using a hand-turned wheel. And no, that's not a design flaw—it's the point. The Long Now Foundation, which is leading the project, says it's meant to be a conversation starter across generations. A mechanical ritual in the age of digital overload. Ambient music legend Brian Eno even built a chime generator that plays a new sequence daily for 10,000 years—if someone's there to power it. That's commitment to the isn't blind to the irony of building something meant to last 10,000 years when no nation-state has even made it past a few hundred. "Do I think humans will be here? Yes," he told Fridman. "But the United States won't exist. Whole civilizations rise and fall. 10,000 years is so long." He's not wrong. The pyramids are baby steps compared to this timeline. But that's exactly why he wants this clock to exist: as a "symbol for long-term thinking" that will gather meaning over time—slowly, quietly, monumentally. There's no finish date for the clock. It's being carved, literally, out of stone—spiral staircases and all—by a team of machinists, engineers, and artists. This isn't some quick publicity stunt. It's a serious bet on the far future. Bezos may be one of many hands turning the gears, but he's the one who signed the $42 million check. And when the cuckoo finally does pop out in the year 3025? Let's hope somebody's there to hear it. Read Next: Here's what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy. Inspired by Uber and Airbnb – Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets – Image: Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article 'The Cuckoo Comes Out Every Thousand Years': Jeff Bezos Spent $42 Million On A 10,000-Year Clock —But Says United States 'Won't Exist' For That Long originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Sign in to access your portfolio
Forbes
08-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Google CEO Sundar Pichai Is Optimistic About AI's Future
Here are five things in tech that happened this week and how they affect your business. Did you miss them? In a far reaching interview with podcaster Lex Fridman, Google CEO says that, while acknowledging the risks associated with artificial intelligence, he has optimism that humanity can collaboratively address potential challenges and believes hat as awareness of AI's risks grows, collective efforts will emerge to mitigate them. He advocated for balancing rapid innovation with ethical considerations to ensure that technological progress benefits society as a whole. He also shared insights into emerging technologies like Google Beam and XR glasses which he says will enhance how people connect and interact (Source: YouTube) Why this is important for your business: Google has a massive reach into both our personal and professional lives. Besides taking a deep dive into AI, Fridman – one of my favorite podcasters – discussed the status and future of many of the business products that Google provides – from ads and search to Gmail, Sheets, Maps, Docs and Meet as well as future innovations in robotics and research. If your business uses and relies on Google applications – and most do – this is an important conversation to better understand where the company is heading so you can be prepared to leverage their new offerings. GlassJar – a new accounting software company – has been launched by former accounting software founders to address long-standing frustrations with QuickBooks and similar legacy tools. The company aims to provide a simpler, more transparent solutions for small businesses and accountants. Key features: Streamlined user experience to reduce bookkeeping time and eliminate tedious workarounds. Fast performance without crashes or lag when handling large data sets. Flexible pricing so users only pay for what they need. GlassJar is currently in private development, with plans for a public beta later this year. The company is inviting small businesses, bookkeepers, and accountants to sign up for early access. (Source: Business Wire) Why this is important for your business: Taking on Intuit in the small business accounting space is really a David vs. Goliath challenge. How good does an accounting application need to be in order to get users to change from their existing software? Competition is good and I'm interested to check out what GlassJar is offering. But they've got major challenge in front of them – and an industry of conversative, non-risk taking accountants who will be a tough audience to convince. Anthropic has launched Claude Explains – a blog primarily written by its AI model, Claude, with human oversight. The blog focuses on technical topics, showcasing Claude's ability to generate educational content. Human editors will refine and enhance Claude's drafts before publication. The blog aims to demonstrate AI-human collaboration, rather than replacing human expertise. Topics range from creative writing to data analysis and business strategy. Anthropic sees this as an example of how AI can augment human work, not replace it. 'This isn't just vanilla Claude output – the editorial process requires human expertise,' an Anthropic spokesperson said. (Source: TechCrunch) Why this is important for your business: We use ChatGPT to write blogs for our site but of course we don't just publish right from the chatbot. A human reviews and edits the output first. I haven't tested Claude Explains so maybe it's more accurate. I'm finding more of my clients starting to choose their AI weapons. ChatGPT remains the most popular but there are a bunch who are devoted to Claude, Grok, CoPilot, Gemini and others. I'm sure the other chatbots will soon match Claude Explains offerings in an effort not to fall behind with their followings. Microsoft Teams is introducing a countdown timer feature to help users manage meeting time more effectively. This long-requested tool aims to improve meeting structure, presenter performance, and overall productivity. Key benefits include Structured Meetings, eliminating the need for third-party timers, allowing organizers to set a visible countdown within Teams. Better Presenter Performance to help speakers stay on track without relying on external time cues. Control & Flexibility allows organizers can pause, stop, or extend the timer as needed. Enhanced Productivity Culture encourages teams to be more mindful of time, reducing unnecessary meeting overruns. (Source: UC Today) Why this is important for your business: As much as we hate meetings, I'm finding that some of my corporate clients are getting good at keeping them to 30 minutes and no more. For the others that need a little more help, the tools that Teams is now offering seems very useful. A new study finds that AI chatbots are being adopted at an unprecedented rate, but their impact on workplace productivity remains modest. According to the study, AI chatbots save users only about 3 percent of work hours on average. Productivity gains rarely translate into higher wages, with only a 3-7 percent improvement in pay. Despite rapid adoption, AI chatbots have had no significant impact on earnings or recorded work hours. The report however, noted that past studies showed greater productivity gains – exceeding 15 percent. The study suggests that while AI chatbots help streamline tasks, their broader economic impact is still unclear. (Source: Computerworld) Why this is important for your business: There is no question that AI chatbots can someday significantly increase productivity. Used correctly they can generate blogs (see above), create and review contracts, write policies and perform searches much faster than the typical Google search because they summarize the results quicker. So what's the holdup? Hallucinations. No one I know trusts their output, so human oversight, verification and correction is always required. So whatever time is saved is offset by the additional time needed to catch and fix errors. You know this will improve, right? Every week I choose five business technology news stories and include in this column, along with my thoughts on how they impact small businesses.
