Yann LeCun Recalls Turning Down Google Director Role in 2002: The What and Why
Summary:
In 2002, Google offered French computer scientist Yann LeCun a director role, which he declined for several reasons. He suggested his acceptance could have drastically altered Google's research trajectory. LeCun cited Google's relative obscurity, inadequate salary, the necessity to move to pricey Silicon Valley and disagreement on research interests at the time as reasons for his refusal. Despite skipping the Google offer, LeCun landed a lucrative role at Meta in 2013.
In 2002, Google, then a nascent tech startup, tabled a director role offer to French computer scientist, Yann LeCun. However, LeCun sidestepped the opportunity for distinct reasons. He indicated that had he accepted the offer, it might have drastically altered Google's research pathway. On a platform known as 'X', that used to be Twitter, LeCun narrated how Larry Page, the Google Co-Founder, extended the job offer in 2002 after his talk on DjVu at Stanford circa 1998.
His denial of the job offer was primarily influenced by four factors, LeCun further explains. His initial reason was that 2002's Google was relatively unexposed, pre-dating the introduction of ads and Gmail. Secondly, he believed the remuneration was inadequate, though conceding that the stock option package could potentially have been astronomical. As a parent of two teenagers, he also considered living costs, as the job would have necessitated a move to the pricier housing market of Silicon Valley. He was also reluctant to relocate to Mountain View due to his family’s unwillingness to move to California, specifically with teenagers who would potentially resent the disruptive transition. His final stated reason was divergent research interests to what Google was focusing on at the time.
Given the current boom in the AI market, several AI researchers might lament missing out on a golden opportunity to be part of Google's initial trajectory. Surprisingly though, LeCun eventually clinched a lucrative position at Meta, where he has been stationed since 2013, though did not disclose the stock incentives he is enjoying there.
In terms of Google's resilience, the tech giant seems to have thrived in LeCun’s absence. But, as per LeCun, Google's story could've played out quite differently had he signed up, considering his influence might have propelled Google's research culture to a more open and ambitious level sooner rather than later.
Published At
1/5/2024 9:30:00 PM
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