Founding CEO of Google:

Larry Page was introduced as the founding chief executive officer of Google. He was instrumental in growing the company to a stage of profitability and over 200 employees. In April 2001, he transitioned to the role of president for products.

Partnership with Sergey Brin:

Larry Page met Sergey Brin while both were in the PhD program in computer science at Stanford University. Together, they co-founded Google, which commenced operations in 1998. The two continue to share responsibility for Google’s day-to-day operations along with Eric Schmidt.

Early Life and Education:

Larry is the son of Dr. Carl Victor Page, a computer science professor at Michigan State University. His interest in computers was sparked at a young age, and he built an inkjet printer out of Lego bricks during his college days. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering.

Awards and Honors:

Page has received several accolades over the years. He was named a World Economic Forum Global Leader for Tomorrow in 2002. He also shares the Marconi Prize with Sergey Brin, awarded in 2004. Larry is a trustee on the board of the X Prize and was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2004, likely as one of its youngest members.

Personal Anecdote and Q&A Session:

John Holdren, the president of the AAAS, who introduced Larry, mentioned his own experience using Google. He emphasized that Larry would be taking questions at the end of his remarks, allowing the audience an opportunity to interact directly with him.

Personal Connection to the Event:

Larry Page expressed a sense of honor in speaking at the event, especially since it focuses on science and technology. He mentioned that he doesn’t usually give talks like this but couldn’t refuse an invitation that aligns so closely with his interests.

The Importance of Science and Technology:

Page emphasized that science, engineering, and technology are highly interrelated and crucial fields. He argued that the challenges in these fields represent a wealth of opportunities for societal progress.

Role of Technology in Economic Growth:

Larry presented a slide, based on input from Hal Varian, a renowned economist. The slide depicted income per person over millennia, showing a significant uptick around the time of the Industrial Revolution. He attributed this growth primarily to technological progress, citing it as the likely driving force behind future economic growth as well.

Impact of Moore’s Law on Google’s Existence:

Page discussed how Google’s creation was made possible by advances in technology, specifically referring to Moore’s Law, which posits that computing power doubles roughly every 18 months. Before these technological improvements, it was not feasible to index the enormous amount of text that Google processes.

Societal Implications and Future Directions:

Larry Page contended that society tends to underestimate the profound impact of technological advancement. He urged consideration of how policies can be aligned to leverage technology effectively, encouraging people to work on the “right things” to solve problems and foster growth.

Marketing Problem in Science:

Larry Page opens his talk by stating that science has a serious marketing problem. Despite science being responsible for much of the world’s growth and technological advancements, it doesn’t get the attention it deserves. He attributes this partly to the lack of professional marketers working in the science field.

Diversity and Funding in Science:

Page criticizes the lack of gender, racial, and national origin diversity in many scientific fields. This not only makes the fields less inviting but also potentially less creative. He also talks about the issues related to funding in science, stating that research is often pursued where there is financial backing rather than genuine interest or promise. He suggests that grad students usually pick interesting topics because they are not motivated by funding, implying that this is a healthier approach to scientific inquiry.

Importance of Science in Society:

Despite these challenges, Page is optimistic about the opportunities in science. He believes that scientific thinking benefits not just specialized jobs but most roles in a society. He emphasizes that scientists make great citizens and that their skills are needed for critical thinking in the world.

Role of Scientists in Leadership:

Page points out the limited number of scientists and engineers in global leadership roles. He advocates for more leaders with a deep understanding of science and technology, using the president of India, a rocket scientist, as an example.

Need for Technologically Literate Leaders in Business:

When talking about Google’s journey to find a CEO, Page discusses the difficulty in finding someone who understood computer science. The company eventually hired Eric Schmidt, one of the few available candidates with a Ph.D. in computer science. He uses this anecdote to stress the importance of having leaders who are technically literate, especially in a world driven by science and technology.

Summary:

Larry Page tackles the underrepresentation and underappreciation of science in both society and leadership roles. While he criticizes the lack of diversity and the skewed funding landscape in scientific fields, he remains optimistic about the value scientists can bring to society and the vast opportunities that lie ahead.

Scientific Underrepresentation in Leadership:

Larry Page emphasizes that there’s a lack of individuals with technical or scientific backgrounds in positions of power. This gap is seen as a significant issue given the pivotal role that science and technology play in societal growth and economic development.

The Role of Meetings in Career Advancement:

According to Page, one reason for the underrepresentation could be the aversion many engineers and scientists have towards meetings. He suggests that mastering the skill of attending and contributing to meetings is crucial for individuals aiming to take on leadership roles.

Efficiency Through Automation:

To combat the inefficiencies typically associated with meetings, Google has adopted automated systems. These systems send out email reports detailing what each team member has done, aiming to replace the kind of updates often given in meetings. This approach helps keep the team connected while allowing engineers and scientists to focus more on their work.

Importance of Funding and Economic Growth:

Page argues that science funding accounts for only a small fraction of the U.S. GDP—around 1 or 2%. He suggests that increasing this percentage could significantly accelerate economic growth due to the exponential impact of scientific development.

Call to Action:

Page encourages the audience to aim for positions where they can control funding at high levels, rather than settling for “scraps.” By doing so, they can have a more considerable influence on directing resources to scientific and technological endeavors that promise to yield high returns for society.

Overall, Larry Page’s points focus on the need for scientists and technologists to assume leadership roles, while also discussing ways to make existing work environments more efficient.

Non-Incremental Work:

Larry Page discusses the significance of engaging in non-incremental work or work that doesn’t simply improve existing models but disrupts and changes paradigms. He shares the story of how the algorithm PageRank, critical to Google’s search engine, was developed from an initially unrelated research project focused on downloading the web. The project evolved over years, resulting in a significant technological invention that became central to web search.

Value of Basic Technologies:

Page emphasizes the importance of having a foundational technology that provides a competitive edge. He mentions how Google had a unique set of links and advanced techniques to process them. Similarly, Steve Tu had a unique expertise in tunable lasers, which led him to win a Nobel Prize. When individuals or companies have a basic technological advantage, they are more likely to discover groundbreaking applications.

Changing Perceptions of Possibility:

He talks about the hard work involved in making groundbreaking initiatives, like the X Prize, a reality. He notes that the primary challenge lies in convincing people that certain ambitions are possible. Once this psychological barrier is overcome, the actual tasks become more feasible.

Media’s Role in Science:

Page argues that the media plays a significant role in shaping public perception and, consequently, the success of scientific research and technology. He suggests that media impact should be considered when giving out grants and tenures in the scientific community to ensure better engagement and public awareness.

Engagement through Journalism and Policy:

He also advocates for the importance of bridging the gap between science and journalism. By having science students work in media organizations and writing articles, better coverage of scientific topics is achieved. Additionally, programs that allow students to participate in public policy creation can have enormous impact.

Through these points, Larry Page sheds light on various aspects that contribute to scientific and technological innovation, emphasizing the need for non-incremental work and better media engagement.

Inspiration from Tesla:

Larry Page recounts his early aspiration to become an inventor, inspired by the autobiography of Nikola Tesla. Tesla was a great inventor but ultimately struggled to commercialize his inventions. This struggle deeply affected Page, leading him to resolve that he did not want to be like Tesla in that regard.

Importance of Integration:

Page argues that achieving real-world impact requires a harmonious blend of business, engineering, and science. He sees no clear boundary between science and engineering, as both aim to get scientific works out to benefit society. Engineers, according to him, are the ones who make science useful and applicable.

The Conundrum of Computer Science:

Page elaborates that in his field, computer science, there’s a linguistic and conceptual muddle. He posits that what is commonly called computer science is actually computer engineering, focusing on software, while traditional computer engineering deals with hardware. The confusion, he suggests, might arise because the field is relatively new.

Role of Entrepreneurship in Universities:

Page stresses the need for fostering entrepreneurship in academic settings. He cites Stanford University as a prime example, where entrepreneurial spirit has been highly successful, compared to more “normal” settings like the University of Michigan.

Origin of Silicon Valley:

Lastly, Page narrates the story of how Silicon Valley was essentially founded through a symbiosis of academia and entrepreneurship. Fred Terman at Stanford, with only $1,000, encouraged Hewlett and Packard to start their company in 1938. This seed money and encouragement gave rise to HP and subsequently, a cascade of tech companies, including Intel, establishing the Silicon Valley as we know it.

Overall, Larry Page emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary integration and entrepreneurial mindsets to translate inventions and scientific knowledge into societal impact.

The Impact of $1,000 and One Professor:

Larry Page revisits the significance of the initial $1,000 that Professor Fred Terman provided to start HP, underlining that this seemingly small investment laid the foundation for Silicon Valley, along with the technology, wealth, and culture associated with it.

Culture of Smart People:

Page describes the environment at Stanford as a culture of very smart, experienced people who have been successful in various capacities—entrepreneurs, scientists, or even dropouts. Many of these individuals continue to give back to the university, either by funding research or contributing in other ways. This cyclical relationship is what Page believes makes Silicon Valley special.

Importance of Funding Mechanisms:

Page observes that the funding for academic research in Silicon Valley often comes from unconventional sources, which he views as a positive. He suggests that this varied approach to funding enables greater innovation and should be replicated elsewhere.

The Power of Attitude:

Emphasizing that starting something impactful does not always require massive resources, Page argues that what’s more important is having the right attitude. He believes business and entrepreneurship are crucial components of science and should be encouraged.

Example of Entrepreneurial Science: SpaceX:

Page cites the example of SpaceX, founded by his friend Elon Musk, as a real-world case of blending business and science successfully. Musk, originally an internet entrepreneur, pivoted towards the ambitious goal of colonizing Mars. To achieve this, he created SpaceX, focusing on making rockets affordable. His venture attracted brilliant scientists who are committed to making this dream a reality.

In summary, Larry Page argues for the importance of fostering a culture that integrates science, business, and entrepreneurship. He asserts that the special environment of Silicon Valley—marked by a unique blend of academic brilliance and entrepreneurial spirit—is a model that can and should be replicated elsewhere for the betterment of science and society.

Education Overhaul:

Larry Page expresses concern about the current state of primary education in science. He proposes that universities, which he perceives as more effective than secondary schools, should take over the education system. However, he doesn’t provide a detailed plan for how this would work.

Role of Technology in Education:

Page argues for the integration of technology in education to make it more efficient. He reflects on his own experience at Stanford, where he watched lectures on videotape instead of attending classes. He contends that the educational infrastructure could benefit from advancements in technology.

Scalability of Quality Education:

Page cites his experience with a large-scale organic chemistry class that was effective because of great teaching and structure. He believes that such models could be adapted for even larger numbers of students, thereby making quality education more accessible.

Inspirational Initiatives:

Page mentions FIRST, a robotics competition started by Dean Kamen that has a significant impact on students, including those from inner cities. He suggests that alternative educational models like this should be explored more.

Technology and Global Challenges:

Page transitions to discussing how technology can be leveraged to solve worldwide problems. He focuses on transportation as an area ripe for innovation. He remarks that current systems are outdated, citing the limited use of computers in most forms of transport, and believes that autonomous cars could be a game-changer.

Opportunities in AI:

Page discusses the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), refuting the negative reputation it has in some circles. He believes the advent of AI will result from extensive computation rather than clever algorithms. He notes that very few people are working on AI, despite its potential to solve significant challenges, including improving search engines.

DNA as an Analogy for AI:

Page theorizes that since human DNA can be compressed to about 600 megabytes, the algorithms needed for AI might not be as complex as people think. He suggests that the challenge lies in the computational power, and fewer people are working on this than should be.

Summary:

Larry Page’s talk covers a wide array of topics but is primarily focused on the need for innovation in education and leveraging technology to solve global problems. He emphasizes the underutilization of technology in current systems and highlights the need for more people to work on groundbreaking technologies like AI.

Climate Change and Modeling:

Larry Page addresses the critical issue of climate change, stating that current efforts in modeling and understanding the phenomenon are insufficient. He mentions the necessity of advancing our grasp on climate science, and highlights recent discussions on the topic at a conference.

Climate Modification:

Page suggests that beyond understanding climate change, the ability to modify climates could be valuable. He speaks admirably of Paul MacReady, an inventor who initially worked on cloud seeding. MacReady faced legal barriers despite the technical feasibility, and Page worries similar obstacles could hinder innovative solutions to climate change.

Importance of Early Adoption:

Using Google Books as an example, Page discusses the challenges of implementing new, seemingly impossible technologies. He spent five years convincing stakeholders that digitizing Stanford’s library was doable. Once a few were convinced, progress was quick, emphasizing that early adoption is crucial for large-scale change.

Global Development and Humanitarianism:

Page shows a keen interest in the developing world, advocating for others to explore and contribute to these regions. He mentions multiple areas of concern such as clean water, health, food, and communication, saying these challenges offer great opportunities for technological solutions.

America’s Global Perception:

According to Page, the U.S. faces a “marketing problem,” with its global reputation suffering. He suggests that more should be invested in diplomacy and creating goodwill, especially in regions like the Middle East and Africa.

Role of Technology in Addressing Poverty:

The speaker indicates that technology has a critical role in elevating living standards and tackling poverty. Drawing from the example of Google.org, he states that while they have committed considerable resources, the key challenge is finding effective projects for intervention.

In summary, Larry Page discusses an array of pressing global challenges, from climate change to poverty, and emphasizes the role of technology and early adoption in solving these issues. He also touches on the importance of improving the U.S.’s global image through humanitarian efforts.

Solar vs. Nuclear:

Larry Page discusses the potential of solar energy in comparison to nuclear energy. He provides statistics that suggest the amount of solar energy hitting a square mile in a solar-rich area like Nevada is around 800 megawatts. This is comparable to the energy output of a large nuclear reactor, which can produce a couple of gigawatts but also takes up multiple square miles of land. Page argues that given these figures and other concerns about nuclear energy, solar might be a more efficient choice.

Solar Technologies:

Page then discusses solar thermal installations in Southern California, which are currently expensive but have not been fully optimized for cost. He suggests that generating steam using sunlight is not difficult and that there is room for innovation and investment in this space. Photovoltaic solar cells are also discussed, mentioning research targeting 50% efficiency, which could potentially make them an even better alternative to nuclear power.

Wind Energy:

Page mentions that wind energy is already competitive with coal if generated consistently. However, the challenge lies in the variability of wind. The actual cost is about $0.03 per kilowatt-hour, but it goes up due to the unpredictability of wind. With proper grid distribution covering large areas, he argues that wind could provide 80% of Europe and Northern Africa’s energy needs without oversubscription.

Grid Infrastructure:

Lastly, Page notes that modernizing the grid is crucial for the integration of renewable energy sources. The existing infrastructure is outdated and lacks power electronics. Improved grid functioning will be important for managing the variability of renewable energy sources.

Overall, Larry Page presents a compelling case for investing more in solar and wind technologies and modernizing grid infrastructures. He is optimistic about the potential of these renewable energy sources to eventually replace more traditional forms of energy production like nuclear and coal.

Scientific Publishing Barriers:

Larry Page discusses the obstacles in the field of scientific publishing. He points out that despite the ubiquity of Google searches, much of the scientific work conducted is inaccessible to the public. He recounts his own experience where, despite having the financial means, he chose not to purchase articles behind paywalls, opting instead for freely available resources.

Need for Public Access:

He emphasizes the need for making the process of accessing scientific information easier. He advocates for unlocking the “wealth of scientific knowledge” and making it universally available online, though he does not specify exactly how this should be done. He suggests that current conditions are far from ideal and calls for changes, implying that there are already proposals for improving the situation.

Impact of Small Teams:

Page also discusses the operational ethos at Google, stating that impactful changes are often led by small teams rather than large groups. He mentions that these small teams, often just 10 people, are not only more cost-effective but also have the capacity for large-scale impact. He emphasizes that being a part of such a team can be a rewarding experience.

Summary and Questions:

Page concludes his talk by stating that there are numerous other areas he’d like to discuss but is limited by time. He opens the floor to questions, reinforcing the interactive and open-ended nature of the discussion.

Google.org and Project Proposals:

Larry Page confirms that there is a procedure for submitting proposals to google.org, although he mentions that the team handling it is quite small. He indicates that due to its small size, the team’s bandwidth for dealing with worldwide proposals is limited.

Corporate Sponsorship of Groups:

A question is raised about Google’s sponsorship or provision of space for various groups. The inquirer praises Google and IBM for their openness and asks if other companies can be encouraged to do the same. Larry Page’s response is a simple thank you, suggesting acknowledgment but not elaborating on plans to encourage other companies.

Predicting Disruptive Technologies:

When asked about the most disruptive technology likely to emerge in the next 10-20 years, Page admits that it’s hard to predict. He states that for technologies like AI, there is a 5% chance of a significant breakthrough happening each year, mostly dependent on whether anyone is actively working on it.

Philosophy in Science Education:

Another speaker suggests that introducing philosophy into science education, particularly from a young age, can stimulate curiosity and participation in science. The speaker advocates for this to be implemented across the U.S., even suggesting federal mandates. Larry Page does not respond to this proposal, leaving its standing with Google unclear.

Video Technology in Education:

Larry Page discusses the potential of Internet Protocol (IP) video for serious applications, particularly in education. He envisions a simple, automated system installed in classrooms to record and upload lectures to the internet. The technology would democratize access to quality education, offering a significant benefit to society at large.

Accessibility Concerns:

Larry is questioned about the lack of captioning on YouTube and Google videos, which makes these platforms inaccessible to deaf individuals. He acknowledges the importance of captioning, not only for accessibility but also for indexing content. He points to ongoing research aimed at automatically converting speech into text to address this issue.

Scientific Approach to Business:

When asked about applying scientific methods to business decisions, Larry explains that business often defies scientific thinking due to its unpredictable and one-time nature. He asserts that while analytical rigor is beneficial, it’s also a common practice among successful businesses.

Curiosities and Miscellaneous:

Larry declines to share the most searched word on Google, mentioning only that it has three letters. He also avoids answering a question about his favorite mathematical equation, claiming that doing so would give away Google interview questions.

Environmental and Energy Ideas:

Towards the end, various speakers suggest different methods for energy conservation and multidisciplinary research. Larry notes that existing power generation could be adapted to heat cities, citing Lansing, Michigan, as an example where the whole downtown is heated through steam from a power plant.

Larry’s conversation touches upon the significant potential and challenges in the realms of video technology, accessibility, and business management. His views indicate a thoughtful approach to leveraging technology for societal benefit.

Corporate Responsibility to Less Developed Countries:

Larry Page, when asked if Google should contribute more to less developed countries, emphasized the importance of will over resources. He said that if people believed problems could be solved, they would allocate resources towards solving them. Thus, the issue is not about money but a collective “learned helplessness.”

Technology’s Impact on Employment:

In response to concerns about technology reducing jobs and increasing income disparity, Page stressed that jobs aren’t the right metric to focus on. Instead, the focus should be on humanity’s capabilities to be happy and fulfill needs. He pointed out that while technology might eliminate certain jobs, it also creates opportunities and efficiencies that benefit society at large.

Google’s Role in Information Control:

Addressing how Google makes decisions about what content to show or hide, such as sensitive locations on Google Earth, Page mentioned that Google tries to offload these responsibilities to established processes or third parties when possible. Google typically publishes whatever information it receives, adhering to a principle of open access.

Energy and Sustainability:

Regarding climate change and energy solutions, Page expressed optimism that the energy problem can be solved, which would contribute to solving the climate issue. He shared that Google has made substantial investments in solar energy for its campus and is working on initiatives to reduce energy consumption.

Controversy and Information Access:

Page acknowledged that not everyone agrees with Google’s philosophy of making information freely available. He said that part of this disagreement stems from Google’s ranking algorithms, which could sometimes surface controversial or less rigorous content. He expressed interest in improving these algorithms for better information rigor and understanding.

Personal Practices and Corporate Initiatives:

Page answered questions about his own energy consumption habits, such as using public transport and having solar panels at home. He mentioned that while he didn’t use public transport to the event, Google has its own bus service for employees. He also stated that Google had a large solar installation to cover about 30% of the campus’s energy use.

The discourse provides a glimpse into Larry Page’s nuanced views on corporate responsibility, the societal impact of technology, and Google’s role in providing access to information.