Speaking at a recent strategy meeting, the details of which were reported by CNBC, Pichai stressed the need for swift and decisive action.

Pichai told employees that the stakes were high before mixing metaphors which should not be mixed and reverting to management speak.

"I think it's really important we internalise the urgency of this moment, and need to move faster as a company. The stakes are high. These are disruptive moments. In 2025, we need to be relentlessly focused on unlocking the benefits of this technology and solve real user problems."

The meeting highlighted growing concerns among employees about OpenAI’s ChatGPT becoming as synonymous with AI as Google is with search. In response, DeepMind co-founder Demis Hassabis presented plans to "turbo charge" Google’s Gemini app. Executives hope Gemini will be Google’s next breakthrough product, with a target of reaching 500 million users.

To reassure employees, Pichai shared a performance chart positioning Gemini 1.5 ahead of OpenAI’s GPT, though he acknowledged the competitive landscape would remain fluid. "I expect some back and forth in 2025," he noted.

Pichai also addressed the perception that Google has lagged behind in AI innovation. "In history, you don't always need to be first, but you have to execute well and really be the best in class as a product…I think that's what 2025 is all about."