Why Google is struggling in the AI race: insights from Gmail’s creator

Top 3 Key Points:
- Shift in Focus: Google’s shift towards search dominance may have hindered its AI progress.
- AI’s Disruptive Nature: AI technology could disrupt Google’s ad revenue model.
- Strategic Challenges: Google’s divided focus on AI and search is slowing its AI advancements.
Google, one of the world’s largest tech giants, should ideally be leading the charge in artificial intelligence (AI). However, despite its vast resources and expertise, the company seems to be falling behind in the AI race. Paul Buchheit, the creator of Gmail, recently shared his thoughts on why Google is struggling to maintain its edge in AI development.
Gmail’s Legacy and Google’s AI Journey
Gmail, which turned 20 this year, revolutionized email with innovative features that have since attracted over 1.8 billion users worldwide. Despite this success, Buchheit points out that Google’s trajectory in AI has not been as smooth.
Google’s AI Challenges
During a recent episode of the Y Combinator Startup podcast, Buchheit discussed why Google is struggling with its AI initiatives. Despite developing impressive AI products, Google has faced numerous challenges, including controversies surrounding its AI-generated content. For instance, its Gemini AI system still struggles with generating realistic images of people, and earlier AI issues like the “glue on pizza” incident have damaged the company’s reputation.
The Impact of Alphabet’s Reorganization
Buchheit highlighted that Google’s decline in AI innovation began nearly a decade ago, coinciding with its reorganization under Alphabet in 2015. This restructuring led Google to focus more on maintaining its dominance in the search market, where it continues to hold a monopoly.
The Disruptive Potential of AI
Google’s emphasis on search, which has been incredibly profitable, has come at the cost of its AI development. Buchheit explains that AI has the potential to disrupt traditional search engines, as AI-generated answers reduce the need for users to visit ad-supported web pages. This creates a dilemma for Google: advancing AI could undermine its primary revenue source.
Conclusion: A Divided Focus
Ultimately, Buchheit believes that Google’s divided focus between AI and search is preventing it from becoming the top AI company. As AI continues to evolve, Google’s ability to balance these competing priorities will determine its future success in the AI landscape.
Android
Google’s May 2025 Android updates: better performance and messaging

Google’s May 2025 Android updates bring exciting changes to improve how your phone works and how you message. These updates focus on making devices faster, safer, and more user-friendly.
One big change is to Android’s memory system. By increasing the memory page size from 4KB to 16KB on newer devices, apps can load quicker and use less power. This helps phones, especially those with modern chips, run smoothly and save battery life. Older devices will stick with the smaller page size to avoid issues.
The Google System Updates for May also add new features. Google Wallet now supports more card types and makes transit passes easier to use in apps like Google Maps. The Play Store now shows video previews of apps, helping you decide what to download. There are also fixes to improve battery life, storage, and network performance, making your phone more reliable.
For Google Messages, a new “delete for everyone” feature lets you remove sent messages from group chats within 15 minutes. This works for both RCS and SMS, so you can fix mistakes easily. Other messaging upgrades include better scam detection and the ability to send high-quality photos and videos. These updates show Google’s effort to make Android devices faster, more secure, and better for communication. Keep your phone updated to enjoy these improvements!
Smart home and navigation upgrades for easier living

Google Maps is making driving more fun with a new feature for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Now, you can pick different car icons to show your vehicle on the map. Choose from options like a sleek sedan, a rugged SUV, or a cool arrow.
This small change adds a personal touch to your navigation and is rolling out to all users soon. Meanwhile, Ecobee’s Smart Doorbell Camera is getting a big upgrade with Google Home support. You can now see who’s at your door right from the Google Home app, view live video, and even talk to visitors.
If you have a Nest Hub, the doorbell feed pops up automatically when someone rings. This feature, already available for Ecobee’s thermostat, makes your smart home setup smoother and is available now for all users. On the AI front, Google’s Gemini app is getting smarter with the Gemini 2.5 Pro preview.
This update improves coding skills, helping developers create better apps and websites. It also handles video and text tasks more effectively. The preview is out for everyone to try, with Google planning to share more at its I/O 2025 event. These updates from Google and Ecobee bring small but meaningful improvements, making your car rides, home security, and digital tasks easier and more enjoyable.
Google updates Chrome, Search, and Play Store for better user experience

Google is rolling out exciting updates to make browsing, searching, and downloading apps smoother and safer for Android users. These changes focus on improving Chrome’s security, redesigning the Google Search bar, and enhancing the Google Play Store’s download process.
Chrome’s Improved Security
Google Chrome now offers stronger protection with “Enhanced Safe Browsing” powered by Gemini Nano, an AI model that works directly on your device. This feature checks websites in real-time to spot phishing attempts and other online threats, keeping your data safe without relying on cloud servers. It’s a step up from the standard protection, giving users more peace of mind while browsing.
Redesigned Google Search Bar
The Google Search bar on Android is getting a fresh look. It’s now simpler and easier to use, with a modern design that fits better with your phone’s home screen. The updated widget lets you access Search, Lens, or voice commands quickly. The new layout is clean and user-friendly, making searches faster and more intuitive.
Better Play Store Downloads
The Google Play Store is improving how it shows app download progress. A new notification design displays a progress bar right in your notification panel, so you can track downloads without opening the app. This small but helpful change makes managing app installs more convenient.
These updates show Google’s focus on creating a safer, simpler, and more efficient experience for Android users. They’re rolling out gradually, so keep an eye out for them on your device!
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