About this Video

• Video Title: Google DeepMind C.E.O. Demis Hassabis on Living in an A.I. Future | EP 137
• Channel: Hard Fork
• Speakers: Kevin Roose, Casey Newton, Demis Hassabis
• Duration: 01:13:49

Introduction

This Hard Fork episode features a discussion about Google I/O 2025 and an interview with Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind. The conversation covers Google's AI announcements, the development of AGI (Artificial General Intelligence), the future of education, and the potential societal impact of AI.

Key Takeaways

• Google I/O 2025 showcased a significant push towards AI integration across all Google products. The event highlighted AI Mode in Google Search, the Gemini app, and AI overviews, demonstrating a shift towards AI as a core element of user experience.
• Gemini, Google's AI chatbot, has achieved substantial user adoption with 400 million monthly users. This indicates significant real-world usage, surpassing other competitors.
• Google is increasingly open about its pursuit of AGI. This contrasts with previous years, suggesting a growing confidence in their progress and a belief that AGI is closer than previously anticipated.
• Alpha Evolve, a novel AI system, uses evolutionary programming to generate and test hypotheses, potentially leading to breakthroughs in various fields. This demonstrates a move beyond simple statistical modeling towards AI-driven innovation.
• The implications of AI for the job market are uncertain. While some job displacement is expected, the overall effect remains debatable, with potential for new job creation in related fields.

Here are the answers to questions 1-4, followed by a list of other important topics from the episode:

1. What are the key differences between the three types of Google searches mentioned: normal Google search, AI overviews, and AI mode?

• Normal Google Search: This is the traditional Google search, now often augmented by AI overviews.
• AI Overviews: These are AI-generated summaries appearing at the top of normal search results, providing concise answers to queries.
• AI Mode: A separate tab within Google Search, allowing for more complex, multi-step questions and interactions, similar to ChatGPT, but integrated directly into the search interface. It uses "fan out" to dispatch multiple searches across various websites to gather information for a comprehensive answer.

2. What specific usage numbers were presented for Gemini and AI overviews, and what conclusions can be drawn from these statistics?

• Gemini: 400 million monthly users. This suggests significant real-world adoption and utility, exceeding competitors.
• AI Overviews: 1.5 billion monthly views. This is less indicative of active user engagement since AI overviews are passively presented within search results.

3. What is the function of "fan out" in AI mode, and what example was given to illustrate its capabilities?

"Fan out" is a feature within AI Mode that dispatches multiple Google searches across numerous websites to compile information for a more thorough answer. The example provided was a query about the cost of a Costco membership, where the system searched 72 websites to generate the answer.

4. What is Project Astra, and how does it power capabilities that users might not realize AI can currently do?

Project Astra is the code name for Google's augmented reality (AR) glasses. The demo showcased its integration with Google Maps, allowing users to see directions projected onto their field of vision, and its ability to identify objects (such as plants) using AI image recognition.

Other Important Topics from the Episode:

• AGI Timelines: Discussion of differing opinions (including Demis Hassabis' and Sergey Brin's) regarding the timeline for achieving Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).
• Alpha Evolve: A Google DeepMind project that utilizes evolutionary programming methods to enable AI to generate and test its own hypotheses, potentially leading to significant advancements in AI capabilities.
• AI Safety: Concerns and discussions about the safety implications of increasingly powerful AI systems, including the potential for misuse and the importance of international collaboration.
• The Impact of AI on the Job Market: Analysis of the potential effects of AI on job displacement and the creation of new job opportunities.
• AI and Education: Exploration of the potential applications of AI in education, including personalized tutoring and improving access to education in underserved areas.
• AI and Creativity: Discussion about the limits of current AI in generating truly creative content and the importance of human involvement in artistic endeavors.
• AI Companions: Concerns about the development and potential risks associated with AI companions, particularly concerning the creation of emotionally manipulative chatbots.
• Geopolitical Implications of AI: Analysis of the potential for global conflict stemming from the competition to develop and control advanced AI technologies.