Google Employees Criticize CEO Over Bard Chatbot Launch

Google employees have expressed their dissatisfaction with CEO Sundar Pichai, describing the launch of the Bard chatbot as “botched.” This uproar was fueled by Microsoft’s ChatGPT, which prompted Pichai to invite Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin back for meetings to reassess the company’s AI strategy.

Following these discussions, it became apparent that Google aimed to expedite the release of its AI products. Reports indicated that the company planned to accelerate its AI review process, which was considered essential to compete effectively. However, Google’s AI Chief, Jeff Dean, reminded employees of the substantial “reputational risk” associated with providing incorrect information—a point that would resonate later.

Rumors surged that Microsoft would integrate a new version of ChatGPT, powered by GPT-4, into Bing, intensifying Google’s concerns and leading to a hastily scheduled AI event in a bid to outpace Microsoft. Ultimately, Microsoft managed to host an impressive event just a day later, revealing its latest ChatGPT version integrated with Bing and Edge, garnering over a million registrations within two days.

Conversely, Google’s event was marked by a sense of urgency, appearing more like a reactive strategy than a proactive unveiling of groundbreaking technologies. Although the company made its announcements, they largely revisited previous statements, aiming to reassure the public that it wasn’t lagging in the AI race. The situation was further complicated when a live demo faltered due to a missing presenter’s phone.

While Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella radiated confidence and humor on stage, Pichai’s absence was notably felt during Google’s presentation. Internal comments on the platform ‘Memegen’ reflected frustration, with one employee stating, “Dear Sundar, the Bard launch and the layoffs were rushed, botched, and myopic,” urging Pichai to adopt a longer-term vision.

The launch video for Bard raised eyebrows when the chatbot provided a misleading answer, claiming to be the first to capture an image of a planet outside our solar system—an accolade actually belonging to Chauvin et al. in 2004. This misstep during a pre-recorded segment highlighted the employees’ concerns surrounding the implementation of a flawed current strategy.

Investors reacted negatively, leading to nearly a 10 percent drop in Google’s stock value following the event, which wiped out approximately $120 billion. As of now, shares have fallen an additional four percent. One employee summed it up succinctly on Memegen, “Rushing Bard to market in a panic validated the market’s fear about us.” Many employees displayed a desire to obscure that day’s event from collective memory, wishing for a more polished launch for Bard.

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