Swisher's memoir, "Burn Book: A Tech Love Story," documents her career as a tech journalist and includes anecdotes about industry veterans like Brin and Google co-founder Larry Page. The book reveals that Brin and Page, who stepped back from their roles at Alphabet in 2019, returned to work on Google's AI efforts following the launch of Microsoft-backed ChatGPT in 2022. Brin has reportedly been directly involved in shaping Google's AI strategy.
Key takeaways:
- Google cofounder Sergey Brin once hosted a unique baby shower in 2008, where guests wore oversized diapers and adult-sized onesies, according to a new book by tech journalist Kara Swisher.
- Some of the most powerful people in tech and media attended the event, including then-San Francisco mayor, Gavin Newsom.
- Brin and fellow Google cofounder Larry Page stepped back from their roles at Alphabet in 2019 but returned to work on Google's AI efforts after the launch of Microsoft-backed ChatGPT in 2022.
- On February 28, Axel Springer, Business Insider's parent company, joined 31 other media groups and filed a $2.3 billion suit against Google in Dutch court, alleging losses suffered due to the company's advertising practices.