Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin handed him the reins of the company they created 21 years ago. They leave the helm of Alphabet, the US$900-billion Google parent company they created in 2014, with a billion-dollar retirement gift from investors as the company’s shares rose on the news; each retains six per cent ownership. (The Logic, Bloomberg)

Talking point: The 47-year-old, who became Google CEO in August 2015, has already been at the forefront of Google’s multi-front battle with antitrust regulators who have increasingly scrutinized the company, as well as thousands of protesting workers. There’s also the possibility of Google employees unionizing. Some fired workers are suing the company, claiming they were dismissed for organizing; Google said it was for leaking confidential information. Pichai’s job will now also include the “other bets” Alphabet made separately from its core Google businesses, including driverless cars, high-altitude balloons, smart cities and health care. In a joint letter announcing the decision, Page and Brin said it was a “time to assume the role of proud parents—offering advice and love, but not daily nagging!” Their departures mean the three biggest U.S. tech companies—Apple, Microsoft and now Alphabet—are no longer led by a founder.