--- title: "Former CEO Blames Working From Home for Google’s AI Struggles, Regrets It Immediately" description: "Billionaire ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt is walking back his questionable claim that remote work is to blame for Google's AI failures." date: "2024-08-15" modified: "2024-08-15" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/former-google-ceo-apologizes-blaming-remote-workers-ai" categories: - "Artificial Intelligence" - "Google" tags: - "eric schmidt" - "google ai" - "the digest" - "work from home" --- # Former CEO Blames Working From Home for Google’s AI Struggles, Regrets It Immediately ![Billionaire ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt is walking back his questionable claim that remote work is to blame for Google's AI failures.]() *\Image: Michael Kovac via Getty / Futurism\* ## Eyes Will Roll Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt is walking back his questionable claim that remote work is to blame for Google slipping behind OpenAI in Silicon Valley's ongoing AI race. On Tuesday, Stanford University published a YouTube video of a [recent talk]() that Schmidt gave at the university's School of Engineering. During that talk, when asked why Google was falling behind other AI firms, Schmidt [declared]() that Google's AI failures stem from its decision to let its staffers enjoy remote work and, with it, a bit of "work-life balance." "Google decided that work-life balance and going home early and working from home was more important than winning," the ex-Googler told the classroom. "And the reason startups work is because people work like hell." The comment understandably sparked criticism. After all, work-life balance *is* important, and Google isn't a startup. And it didn't take long for Schmidt to eat his words. "I misspoke about Google and their work hours," Schmidt [told ]()[*The Wall Street Journal*]() in an emailed statement. "I regret my error." https://twitter.com/alexkehr/status/1823480786349383879 ## Ctrl Alt Delete In the year 2024, Google is one of the most influential tech giants on the planet, and a federal judge in Washington DC ruled just last week that Google has [monopoly power]() over the online search market. Its pockets are insanely deep, meaning that it can compete in the industry [talent war]() and devote a [ridiculous amount of resources]() to its AI efforts. What it didn't do, though, was publicly release a chatbot before OpenAI did. OpenAI, which arguably isn't exactly a startup anymore either, was the first to wrench open that Pandora's box — and Google has been playing [catch-up]() ever since. So in other words, not sleeping on the floors of Google's lavish facilities isn't exactly the problem here. In [a Wednesday statement on X-formerly-Twitter](), the Alphabet Workers Union declared in response to Schmidt's comments that "flexible work arrangements don't slow down our work." "Understaffing, shifting priorities, constant layoffs, stagnant wages and lack of follow-through from management on projects," the statement continued, "these factors slow Google workers down every day." Later on Wednesday, [as reported by *The Verge*](), Stanford removed the video of Schmidt's talk from YouTube upon the billionaire's request. **More on Google AI:** [*Google's Demo of Its Latest AI Tech Was an Absolute Train Wreck*]() ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()