Prabhakar Raghavan Appointed Google’s New CTO: Holds Blueprint for Company, ₹300 Crore Annual Package
Google has made a significant leadership change by appointing Indian-origin Prabhakar Raghavan as the new Chief Technology Officer (CTO). As Google rapidly advances in the field of AI, this appointment is part of a strategic restructuring to stay competitive against tech giants like Microsoft. Let’s take a closer look at Raghavan’s remarkable career and achievements.
The Master of Search Algorithms
Raghavan is widely recognized as one of the most influential figures in the world of search algorithms. With over 20 years of research in algorithms, web search, and databases, he has authored more than 100 research papers and holds over 20 patents in the tech and web domain.
Joined Google 12 Years Ago, Managed Key Units
Raghavan joined Google 12 years ago and has held leadership roles in major units such as Google Search, Google Assistant, Google Ads, Commerce, and Payments. These divisions are crucial to Google’s revenue streams.
Almost Founded a Search Engine in the 1990s
In the 1990s, Raghavan was close to founding a search engine company based on a blueprint he had created with students from Stanford University. However, before Google came to be, he joined Yahoo.
Pioneer in AI Features for Google Apps and G Suite
As Vice President of Google Apps and Google Cloud, Raghavan introduced cutting-edge AI features like Smart Reply and Smart Compose in Gmail and Quick Access in Google Drive, helping the company reach new heights.
A CEO-Like Presence with a ₹300 Crore Package
Raghavan is often viewed as a “CEO” figure within Google, and his close relationship with Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai adds to his influential role. Last year, Raghavan earned a compensation package worth ₹300 crore, making him one of Google’s top five highest-paid executives.
From Bhopal to Google’s Helm
Born in Bhopal, Raghavan completed his schooling there before earning a degree in Electrical Engineering from IIT Madras. He later pursued his Ph.D. from UC Berkeley. Interestingly, both Raghavan and Sundar Pichai share a similar background, having studied at IIT Madras and hailing from South India.
Google’s CTO: AI Revolution for a Better Future
Raghavan believes AI can transform various sectors, from optimizing traffic to battling forest fires. He emphasizes the potential of AI to bring transparency and revolutionize government operations while making a significant contribution to environmental conservation.