Rob Leathern, the former Google VP of Product for Privacy and Data Protection, recently shared his insights on CNBC’s ‘Squawk on the Street’ about the challenges and opportunities facing Alphabet in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI). Leathern, who has also served as Meta’s Senior Director of Product for Business Integrity, highlighted the critical juncture at which Google finds itself regarding the integration of AI into its products.

“I think Google is in a pretty interesting spot,” said Leathern, emphasizing the anticipation that Google will lead in AI advancements. However, he then noted: “They’ve kind of been drawn into this issue around having something show up that perhaps they have not anticipated.”

This reflects the broader concern about how Google will adapt its flagship products, like search, to the evolving AI landscape.

Discussing Alphabet’s capacity to innovate within its own ecosystem, Leathern said: “I think it is still a question, how these kinds of technologies get integrated into their flagship products.” He also pointed out the cultural and operational challenges Google might face.

“I do think Google has less of a history of that, and they also have taken a cautious approach with their non-search products over the years,” he said.

Leathern’s commentary shed light on the delicate balance Google must strike between innovation and responsibility as it navigates the fast-moving waters of AI development, emphasizing the importance of adapting to change while maintaining the public’s trust.

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