by lissie » 13 May 2013, 08:41
Google Building 44, California
(not the X Lab, necessarily)
Google X Lab, also referred to as Google X or Google[x], is a secretive part of Google that experiments with ambitious future technologies. Its purpose is to develop products that have the potential to make a large positive impact on society. The full extent of the research is not public knowledge but it's thought to include projects relating to artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics.
The Google founders have long been interested in AI. One venture capitalist said that every time he discusses the future with Google CEO Larry Page, Larry argues that Google will eventually become an artificial intelligence. Indeed, Larry and co-founder Sergey Brin have both said that their ultimate aim is for Google Search to become AI-complete. That is, the machine will be just as intelligent as a human.
In 2006 an internal company memo said that Google wants to have the world's top AI research laboratory. It is possible that Google X Lab forms a part of this. AI is certainly a big part of Google in general. This is clear from the many AI-related jobs they have on offer.