Sundar Pichai Encourages Stanford Graduates to Embrace Uncertainty and Pursue Ambition Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, delivered a commencement speech to the Class of 2026 at Stanford University on June 14, 2026, reflecting on his own journey from Chennai, India, to Silicon Valley. Drawing on personal experiences, Pichai urged graduates to reframe challenges, embrace uncertainty, and pursue ambitious goals. His remarks, delivered during the 135th Commencement ceremony, emphasized the importance of optimism, the insignificance of minor life decisions, and the value of reframing perspectives to navigate a rapidly changing world. Pichai began by acknowledging the unique circumstances of the event, noting that this was only his second commencement speech. His first, delivered in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, was a virtual address for students unable to attend in person. He humorously recounted the chaotic filming of that event, including a self-inflicted haircut and the absence of an audience, contrasting it with the celebratory atmosphere of the current ceremony. He praised the graduates for their achievements and thanked their families, friends, and mentors for their support. Addressing the graduates, Pichai acknowledged the pressure they faced to excel academically and extracurricularly, noting that many had sacrificed extensively to reach this milestone. However, he challenged them to recognize that while academic and professional milestones matter, they are far less consequential than they appear. He shared a personal anecdote about a classmate named Pat, who invited him to skip class and take a road trip to Las Vegas.#chennai #sundar_pichai #stanford_university #class_of_2026 #135th_commencement
