Who Is Larry Page? Net Worth, Family And Elon Musk's Shocking Claim He Wanted To Create A 'Digital God' With AI
Elon Musk once said that Google co-founder Larry Page discussed the possibility of creating an advanced artificial intelligence system that could function like a 'digital god', highlighting differing views among technology leaders about the development of powerful AI systems.Musk made the remark during a 2023 television interview while discussing disagreements he said he had with Page about the potential risks of artificial intelligence. The Tesla and SpaceX chief has frequently warned that rapidly advancing AI could pose significant dangers if it is developed without adequate safeguards.Page has not publicly confirmed or denied Musk's account of the conversation. The claim has, nevertheless, drawn renewed attention to the technology entrepreneur who co-founded Google and helped build one of the world's most influential technology companies.Google Co-FounderLawrence Edward Page was born on 26 March 1973 in Lansing, Michigan, and grew up in a family of computer scientists. His father was a computer science professor at Michigan State University and his mother taught computer programming.After studying computer engineering at the University of Michigan, Page pursued a PhD in computer science at Stanford University, where he met fellow doctoral student Sergey Brin.
The pair developed PageRank, a system for ranking web pages that became the foundation of Google, which they founded in 1998. The company later expanded beyond search into areas including online advertising, Android mobile software, YouTube and cloud computing.Google reorganised under parent company Alphabet Inc. in 2015. Page served as Alphabet's chief executive until December 2019, when he and Brin stepped down from executive leadership roles. Sundar Pichai took over as CEO of both Alphabet and Google.Net Worth and Wealth RankingDespite stepping away from daily management of the company, Page remains among the wealthiest individuals in the world.Much of his wealth is linked to his ownership stake in Alphabet. Wealth trackers including the Bloomberg Billionaires Index and Forbes have estimated his net worth at more than $260 billion, although the figure fluctuates depending on movements in Alphabet's share price.Alphabet remains one of the world's most valuable technology companies, with major investments in artificial intelligence, cloud computing and digital advertising.
Family and Personal LifePage married research scientist Lucinda Southworth in 2007. The couple held their wedding ceremony on Necker Island in the Caribbean, according to Reuters.Southworth holds a doctorate in biomedical informatics from Stanford University and has supported several scientific and philanthropic initiatives through the Carl Victor Page Memorial Foundation, named after Page's father.The couple have two children and maintain a relatively private personal life compared with many other technology executives.Musk's 'Digital God' CommentMusk has previously spoken about disagreements with Page regarding the future of artificial intelligence. According to Musk, Page believed that highly advanced AI could eventually surpass human intelligence and manage complex global systems. Musk has described that vision as resembling the creation of a powerful 'digital god'.
The comment has continued to circulate in discussions about artificial intelligence as governments and technology companies race to develop increasingly advanced AI systems. Although Page has largely stayed out of public debates about AI safety, Google and Alphabet remain among the companies investing heavily in the development of artificial intelligence technologies.
