Google launches Gemini, upping the stakes in the global AI race
Google took its next leap in artificial intelligence Wednesday with the launch of project Gemini, an AI model trained to behave in human-like ways thatโs likely to intensify the debate about the technologyโs potential promise and perils.
Google's ad sales growth accelerated in 3Q, but investors are unimpressed with the performance
Googleโs digital advertising sales growth accelerated during the summer, advancing a recent revival that helped its corporate parent Alphabet Inc. to deliver a quarterly profit that exceeded analysts' projections.
Google rebounds from unprecedented drop in ad revenue with a resurgence that pushes stock higher
Google snapped out of an unprecedented advertising slump during its latest quarter, signaling a return to growth cycle needed to fuel investments in artificial intelligence technology that expected to reshape the competitive landscape.
Gannett sues Google, Alphabet claiming they have a monopoly on digital advertising
Gannett is suing Google and its parent company Alphabet, claiming that they unlawfully acquired and maintain monopolies on the advertising technology tools that publishers and advertisers use to buy and sell online ad space.
Google workers form new labor union, a tech industry rarity
(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)A group of Google engineers and other workers announced Monday they have formed a union, creating a rare foothold for the labor movement in the tech industry. About 225 employees at Google and its parent company Alphabet are the first dues-paying members of the Alphabet Workers Union. But the new union, which will be affiliated with the larger Communication Workers of America, says it will serve as a โstructure that ensures Google workers can actively push for real changes at the company." Later in 2018, thousands of Google employees walked out to protest how the company handled sexual misconduct allegations against executives. Allen said the Alphabet Workers Union is not currently planning to pursue official recognition as a collective bargaining group.
Tech giants report higher profits - some more than others
FILE - This combination of photos shows logos for social media platforms Facebook and Twitter. (AP Photo/File)Five technology giants are reporting earnings Thursday, providing the latest indication of whether they are rebounding from an economic slowdown earlier this year. Apple and Google's parent Alphabet are also reporting results Thursday. Analysts were expecting earnings of $2.18 per share on revenue of $19.80 billion, according to a poll by FactSet. The social media giantโs average monthly user base was 2.74 billion as of Sept. 30, up 12% from a year earlier.
Self-driving car company Waymo raises $2.25 billion in first external round of funding
Waymo, the self-driving arm of Google's parent company Alphabet, announced Monday that it has raised $2.25 billion in its first external round of funding. The investment was led by private equity firm Silver Lake Partners, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and the Mubadala Investment Company, the sovereign wealth fund of the United Arab Emirates. But company CEO John Krafcik said the investment will enable the company to add key partners and grow its operations. Advocates of self-driving vehicles say the technology will dramatically improve road safety. Its self-driving vehicles have driven more than 20 million miles on public roads.
Google co-founders step down as execs of parent Alphabet
Sundar Pichai, who has been leading Google as CEO for more than four years, will stay in his role and also become CEO of Alphabet. Both founders promised they plan to stay actively involved as board members and shareholders and lauded Pichai for his leadership of Google. Alphabet -- an umbrella corporation that the two created in 2015 -- still boasts Google as its central fixture and key moneymaker. Page and Brin both have been noticeably absent from Google events in the past year. Pichai, who has an engineering background, took over as the head of Googleโs products before being promoted to CEO when Alphabet was created.