Welcome to this exclusive interview with Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, part of the Cloud Wars Top 10 CEO Outlook 2025 series. Kurian and Bob Evans, founder, Cloud Wars, discuss customers’ mindset in 2025, the integration of AI with cloud technologies, how AI is transforming business productivity, and Google Cloud’s approach to addressing the high costs of AI while fostering customer-driven innovation
Highlights
Customer Mindset and Priorities in 2025 (01:47)
The current climate of geopolitical and economic uncertainty is driving the need for speed and agility when delivering value to customers. Google Cloud customer projects that do just that include improving logistics at UPS, enhancing search functionality, and boosting customer service at Hanesbrands and Macy’s. “Uncertainty means the great CEOs want action,” Kurian says. “You control the controllable, and you do that by improving speed in your organization.” Kurian also discusses significant AI integrations, such as Google Cloud’s collaboration with Samsung on its phones and Snap’s in-app coach, which are shaping the future of customer interaction.
Cloud and AI as a Continuum (04:08)
Kurian explains that cloud services actually simplify the deployment and management of AI because they provide models and accelerators as services, reducing the complexity of managing AI systems. In turn, AI helps to streamline cloud services by enabling faster and more efficient application development. Customer examples of how cloud and AI work together to deliver innovative offerings can be found in AI-driven risk calculations at Hiscox, tailored advertising for Puma and Radisson, and content discovery for Warner Brothers Discovery.
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AI’s Impact on Business and Productivity (07:48)
AI is no longer confined to IT departments but is now influencing a wide range of business functions. It’s improving productivity by streamlining operations, such as facilitating live patient handoffs at hospitals. “Allowing the nurses to do live handoff to another nurse means more time at the bedside. It means more productivity.”
AI is also enhancing product development by enabling customers to articulate complex needs, which AI can then translate into tailored recommendations. Furthermore, AI’s role in call center automation is improving efficiency by handling high volumes of customer inquiries and providing superior service.
Customer Service and AI Integration (13:01)
Google Cloud’s approach to integrating AI with customer service helps businesses create more cohesive and efficient customer experiences by improving reach, understanding, and interactions across multiple channels. Kurian discusses innovations such as the self-service retail search at InterContinental Hotels and digital concierge services for Orange. AI agents manage customer queries, upsell products, and improve service efficiency in call centers.
Cost Optimization and Efficiency in AI (15:52)
There are several ways in which Google Cloud is addressing the challenges of AI tool affordability. Kurian outlines initiatives aimed at improving the efficiency of AI, such as new software capabilities and optimizations to AI models. In the last six months, Google Cloud has significantly reduced costs, with model costs dropping by more than 10 times. Additionally, improvements in latency and the reduction of AI response iterations are also helping to make AI more efficient and cost-effective.
Customer Acknowledgment (18:46)
In closing, Kurian expresses his gratitude to Google Cloud’s customers, partners, and all those who have supported the company’s journey. “To every customer, every partner, everyone who gave us a shot, you were the reason that all of our people worked so hard. Thank you.”
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