My Journey into AI

That was how the idea of my new company, Innovation Works, began.

Since September 2009, I’ve been guiding young people with creative business ideas to work towards their dreams. I often remind myself, “If we are extremely lucky, we may create a world famous brand. If we are very lucky, we may establish a leading high tech company in China. But even if we are not so lucky, we can still spin off some valuable companies, make some useful products, and educate the next generation of entrepreneurs. All these results will make my life meaningful.”

During my years at Microsoft and Google, I devoted virtually all of my free time to advising Chinese college students.

I gave speeches from university to university in China. Sometimes I had to continuously fly from city to city because of my tight schedule. In April 2009, I flew to three cities and gave speeches at six universities within eight days. The speeches were all about how to make the best of college life, plan steps beyond college, grow as an intellectual through lifelong learning, lead a life of integrity, and set a meaningful career goal.

Every time I spoke to Chinese college students, I saw in their passionate eyes their eagerness to learn from me. I knew they were going through a crucial stage of their lives. They were wondering how they could use their college education to realize their dreams in the future, and they found guidance in my speeches.

I completed a four-year term as president of Google China. In my third year I also took charge of Google’s Korean team and the fast growing Southeast Asia market. But I soon realized that it was never my dream or forte to manage a large staff. What I truly enjoyed doing was pioneer work, to explore uncharted territories and create something out of nothing.

Since I shocked the media by announcing my resignation on Sept. 4, 2009, many reporters have asked me to comment on my four years with Google China. I generally would summarize my view into three points:

1) It takes a lot of commitment and patience to run an international company in China. Google has shown enough patience and a business model suitable for Chinese users. That’s why Google China began to see profit in its fourth year.

2) Product development has to be quick in China for the market’s ever-changing eco-system. While it’s great that Google allows the China team to design all kinds of new products, most of the products have to go through the headquarters’ evaluations before their releases. Although this is for quality assurance, it inevitably slows Google China down.

3) It is commendable that Google gives the local team more license than most other international companies. That was what enabled Google China to create unique products like Google Music and invest in eight Chinese companies.