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Google Cloud VP: AI's Key Challenges and Future Frontiers

2/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

Michael Gerstenhaber, Vice President at Google Cloud, oversees Vertex AI and focuses on deploying enterprise AI.
He identifies three frontiers for AI models: raw intelligence, response time, and cost-effectiveness for large-scale deployment.
He notes agentic systems are slow to gain traction due to missing infrastructure and auditing patterns.
He adds that software engineering has adapted quickly, while other fields require similarly low-risk implementation processes, and production capabilities lag behind potential.

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Story summary

Michael Gerstenhaber, Vice President at Google Cloud, oversees Vertex AI and focuses on deploying enterprise AI.
He identifies three frontiers for AI models: raw intelligence, response time, and cost-effectiveness for large-scale deployment.
He notes agentic systems are slow to gain traction due to missing infrastructure and auditing patterns.
He adds that software engineering has adapted quickly, while other fields require similarly low-risk implementation processes, and production capabilities lag behind potential.