Larry Page (Google Co-Founder) – AAAS Annual Meeting Plenary Lecture (Feb 16, 2007)
Chapters
Abstract
In a rare public appearance, Larry Page, Google’s founding CEO and one of the most influential figures in technology, delivered a sweeping address on the intersections between science, technology, and leadership. Speaking before an audience of professionals and academics at an event hosted by John Holdren, president of AAAS, Page called attention to the pressing issues of technological literacy in leadership, the under-marketing of science, and the untapped potential for science and technology to solve global challenges. He laid out his vision for addressing these multifaceted issues, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach that integrates science, technology, and effective leadership.
The Technological Gap in Leadership and Its Economic Implications
One of the most critical points Page raised was the paucity of leaders with scientific or technological expertise. He cited economist Hal Varian’s observation that technological progress has been a significant driver of economic growth since the Industrial Revolution. However, this growth is compromised when there’s a disconnect in technological understanding between different hierarchical levels in organizations and governments. This, Page argued, could be detrimental to economic growth, as leadership choices steer technological and scientific policy.
Page also expressed the importance of non-incremental work, citing Google’s PageRank system as a groundbreaking result of pure research. According to him, disruptive technologies like AI are hard to predict but can be game-changing when they emerge.
Science’s “Marketing Problem” and Public Perception
Despite its immense contributions to society, Page argued that science suffers from a “serious marketing problem.” He expressed concern over the inaccessibility of scientific knowledge, often confined behind paywalls, which hinders public engagement. Moreover, he emphasized the role of the media in shaping public perception, suggesting that media impact could be a criterion for scientific grants and tenure.
The Potential and Hurdles in Science and Technology
Optimistically, Page sees the challenges in science and technology as opportunities for growth. He recognized issues like poor diversity across scientific fields and the inadequacy of current climate change models. However, he remained hopeful that with the right focus and alignment, these challenges could turn into avenues for innovation.
He highlighted various forms of renewable energy, noting that wind energy is already cost-competitive with coal and that innovations could potentially make solar energy economically competitive. Page also mentioned Google.org’s financial commitment to technological solutions tailored to the needs of the developing world.
Educational Reform and Technological Solutions
Page identified the lack of primary education in science as a significant concern. To address this, he advocated for universities taking over the educational system, utilizing their resources and expertise to improve the quality of primary education. He also suggested leveraging technology for scalable and effective education, such as automated systems that broadcast lectures online.
The Role of Corporate Responsibility and Open Access
On the corporate front, Page admitted that the primary roadblock to contributing to global issues is not financial resources but a collective sense of “learned helplessness.” He emphasized the need for scalable, effective projects to inspire confidence and resource allocation. He also stood by the principle of open access to information, despite the controversies it can sometimes create.
Concluding Remarks
Larry Page grew up as the son of a computer science professor, developing a love for computers at a young age. His education at Stanford and the entrepreneurial ecosystem there led him to co-found Google. Alongside Sergey Brin and later Eric Schmidt, he guided Google to profitability, earning several accolades along the way, including the World Economic Forum Global Leader for Tomorrow title in 2002 and the Marconi Prize in 2004.
By combining his formative experiences with his roles at Google, Larry Page has crafted a comprehensive vision for the future of science, technology, and leadership. His recent appearance and discussions represent not only a rare public insight into his thoughts but also serve as a call to action for an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach to solving the world’s most pressing challenges.
Notes by: T_Soprano