Google’s Eric Schmidt Sits for Chat on Wide-Ranging Issues
“It’s pretty clear that we need more of the kind of talent that makes change happen,” said Eric Schmidt, executive chairman of Google.
In a fireside chat at SIPA on October 30, Schmidt talked about topics addressed in his recent book How Google Works. In her opening remarks, Dean Merit E. Janow said the book is a must-read—a fascinating look into the Google culture.
“Few companies have had the kind of impact in the tech sector, as well as the world, as Google has,” she said. “Google has really changed how we live and work.”
Schmidt described school as “conformist” and suggested that the most important thing in effecting change is having the best idea.
“The best idea does not occur in a linear process. Science and creativity happen when you least expect it—that’s the nature of how our mind works,” said Schmidt. “Don’t manage a community to a standard, manage to a best idea.”
He emphasized the importance of fostering creativity, and providing opportunities.
“Google has the luxury of being able to hire really, really smart people,” said Schmidt, responding to the question of whether Google only hires people with technical skills. He insisted that the split is roughly 50-50 between technical and nontechnical people.
“We look for people with great insights,” Schmidt said. “You have to be curious.”
He emphasized the importance of government and policy. A major issue, according to Schmidt, is the need for immigration reform.
“People come to Columbia, are highly educated, and they are kicked out,” he said. “Staple the green card to the PhD,” he added jokingly.
The education system in the United States is also lagging, Schmidt said. Asia poses a “very serious issue” over the next 20 or 30 years because of their investment in education and research.
Another cause for concern is the lack of women in the technology sector.
“We have a problem in my industry [where] the percentage of women are declining, but the number is growing everywhere else,” he said. Another way to fix the problem is to address it from the perspective of women, he said.
Dean Janow asked Schmidt to explain the complicated relationship between Google and China, addressing criticism that the company received after agreeing to censor its search in the country, following pressure from the Chinese government.
There was a debate on the issue, but ultimately Google decided to pull out. “Google is fully blocked in China,” he said. “I would say that’s a bad outcome, but the important part is that the company made a decision.”
Google also received a “firestorm of criticism” from the U.S. government, as they insisted Google was making life harder.
“How do you know, and how does Google know that an evil government, other than the U.S. government and the FBI industry, isn’t also there?” said Schmidt. “Google makes no, and I make no, apology for this. Our priority is to protect our users.”
The Internet creates issues, said Schmidt, but it is nonetheless an “enormous positive source for keeping governments and citizens honest.”
He described the positive impact Google and the Internet has had, even on reconstruction in conflict areas, stating the importance of connectivity in such “dire situations.”
The Internet—along with television and phones—promotes transparency, he added.
“The Internet is this extraordinary force,” Schmidt said, “and I am happy to be a part of that.”
— Tamara El Waylly MIA ’15