Google CEO Pichai struggled to navigate a pressure-filled year
Google CEO Pichai notched some AI wins but struggled to navigate a pressure-filled year.
Google's blowout earnings report in April, which sparked the biggest rally in Alphabet shares since 2015 and pushed its market cap past $2 trillion for the first time, tempered fear that the company was falling behind in artificial intelligence.
As executives enthusiastically talked about the results with Google's employees at an all-hands meeting the following week, it was clear that Wall Street viewed things differently than the company's workforce.
"We've noticed a significant decline in morale, increased distrust and a disconnect between leadership and the workforce," one employee wrote in a comment that was read by executives at the meeting. "How does leadership plan to address these concerns and regain the trust, morale and cohesion that have been foundational to our company's success?"
The comment was highly rated on an internal forum.
"Despite the company's stellar performance and record earnings, many Googlers have not received meaningful compensation increases" another top-rated employee question read.