Why AI Will Look Very Different By 2040

What does Google’s Chief Scientist see that the rest of the world doesn’t?

In this episode of AI Across Borders, Dr. Ayesha Khanna sits down with Jeff Dean, the architect behind Google’s most powerful AI systems, from Search and Translate to the groundbreaking Gemini model.

Jeff breaks down the future of AI architecture, why energy-efficient models matter, and how on-device AI could transform access for billions without reliable power. He also dives into AI agents, digital bias, and the misinformation risks that keep him up at night.

From the origin story of Gemini to the vision behind Pathways, this conversation reveals how Google is building ethical, inclusive, and sustainable AI for the world.

IN THIS EPISODE
(00:00) Coming up
(00:40) A 13-year-old, a refugee camp… and a plot twist that shaped AI.
(03:53) A dusty computer in Somalia and the spark that started it all.
(06:09) What really separates “smart teams” from world-changing ones?
(08:30) The missing piece in building powerful teams.
(10:13) Why diversity isn’t just nice to have, it’s a superpower.
(11:25) The one thing schools often kill (but AI needs).
(11:55) A rookie mistake that can derail billion-dollar AI dreams.
(15:04) Whose values shape your AI? (And why it matters.)
(20:47) The real AI affordability question no one’s asking.
(27:01) One idea that could make AI faster, cheaper and smarter.
(30:45) How to explain AI to anyone (and sound brilliant).
(32:13) What makes Gemini more than “just another model.”
(34:13) How Gemini got its name (and why it matters).
(35:21) What if AI didn’t just answer you… but acted for you?
(38:15) Will AI really take your job, or just change it?
(41:53) Why our old idea of AI is already outdated.
(43:17) Fast forward to 2040, what will AI look like?
(44:37) What keeps Google’s Chief Scientist up at night.
(47:07) A love letter to humanity… from the age of machines.

Our Guest - Jeffrey Dean
He’s the architect behind Google’s smartest ideas. Jeff Dean, Google’s Chief Scientist, has helped build the AI systems that power our world, from Google Search and Translate to the groundbreaking Gemini model redefining the next generation of artificial intelligence.

Recognized by Forbes, MIT Technology Review, and Fortune as one of the most influential figures in tech, Dean has spent over two decades pioneering breakthroughs in deep learning, scalable computing, and sustainable AI.
As a leading voice in ethical and sustainable AI, Dean champions innovation that serves everyone, from energy-efficient model design to multilingual AI tools that make technology more inclusive. His leadership continues to shape how billions of people connect, learn, and create in the age of intelligent machines.

Follow Jeff Dean:
LinkedIn:   / jeff-dean-8b212555  
X:https://x.com/JeffDean

Our Host - Dr. Ayesha Khanna
Dr. Ayesha Khanna is a globally recognized AI expert, entrepreneur, and CEO of Addo, an AI engineering firm helping businesses leverage AI for growth. With 20+ years in digital transformation, she advises Fortune 500 CEOs and serves on global public and private boards and Singapore government agencies.

A thought leader in AI, Dr. Khanna has been recognized as a groundbreaking
entrepreneur by Forbes, named Edelman’s Top 50 AI Creators (2025), and featured in Salesforce’s 16 AI Influencers to Know (2024). She is also Co-Chair of Fortune AI Brainstorm Conference in Singapore.

Committed to diversity in tech, she founded the charity 21C Girls, which taught thousands of students the basics of AI and coding in Singapore, and currently supports mid-career women in tech through her education company, Amplify.

Dr Ayesha Khanna:
Website: https://www.ayeshakhanna.com/
LinkedIn:   / ayeshakhanna  
Instagram:   / ayeshakhanna  
X: https://x.com/ayeshakhanna1

ABOUT AI Across Borders
This is AI Across Borders, a podcast about the people reimagining the world through AI, technology and leadership. From digital inclusion in remote communities to bold voices shaping policy and innovation, each episode explores how AI impacts culture, business and everyday life everywhere.
Follow AI Across Borders:
Website: https://www.aiacrossborders.co/
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