Bengaluru: 

Speaking at the Global Investors' Meet on Thursday, Thrun highlighted the need for balanced AI regulation, the evolving job landscape, and the intriguing potential of AI in preserving human connections beyond death. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is set to revolutionize industries, reshape job markets, and even redefine human interactions, according to Sebastian Thrun, founder of Google X. Addressing concerns about AI governance, Thrun cautioned governments across the globe against overregulation of Artificial Intelligence and stressed the importance of responsible regulation that fosters innovation instead of hindering it.  “Regulation is necessary, but it must not stifle research,” he cautioned. “Controlling a technology before it has a chance to develop is counterproductive. Proper regulation should focus on preventing misuse.”

Speaking at a session titled "Pioneering AI: From Imagination to Real-World Impact," at the Global Investors Meet - Invest Karnataka 2025, on Thursday, Thrun noted that while China and the European Union have taken steps toward AI regulation, India has yet to introduce formal measures. However, he expressed confidence in India’s tech leadership. “Indian CEOs are incredibly tech-savvy and visionary. That’s why they are leading global companies like Google,” he said, commending India's dynamic technological landscape.

AI can let you talk to deceased friends and family members:

"In the future, thanks to AI, we might even talk to our children and grandchildren after we’ve passed away," he said. In a glimpse of the future, Thrun predicted that AI would revolutionise industries like transportation, healthcare, and personalised services. He even suggested that AI could one day allow people to continue conversations with their loved ones after death. We already have AI platforms that allow the creation of virtual avatars based on fictional characters, embodying their characteristics, personalities, and speech mannerisms.

The creation of such avatars requires an extensive description of the characters along with examples of how they react and respond to different situations. Such technique can also be applied to humans, both alive and dead, allowing us to talk to our loved ones after death.

While Thrun talks about a future where AI could let us talk to our deceased loved ones, there are already some AI-powered platforms in existence that let users create a virtual representation of their departed loved ones. They use recorded memories, photos, and stories of people to create digital avatars, allowing users to hold interactive conversations with those digital personas.

Digital Twins:

Thrun also talked about digital twins enabled by artificial intelligence. "Through digital twins, we’ll be able to attend meetings and work from remote locations," he shared. Notably, a digital twin is a virtual replica of a physical object, process, or system that can be used to simulate, predict, and optimise the real-world counterpart.

Thrun's remarks underscored the vast potential of AI, which, according to him, will continue to transform daily life and open up new possibilities.

AI's impact on the job market:

Thrun also addressed growing concerns about AI’s impact on the job market. While some fear job losses, he reassured the audience that AI will work alongside human workers, creating new opportunities rather than eliminating them.

"Approximately 60 per cent of current jobs may disappear, but far more new jobs will emerge as a result of AI and other technologies. Young people must prepare themselves for these new roles," he advised.

Thrun emphasised that AI’s rise will lead to a shift in job types, but those who adapt will find new career prospects in emerging fields. He encouraged the younger generation to embrace the opportunities AI will bring in fields like coding, data science, cybersecurity, and digital marketing.

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