In a moment both ironic and endearing, Sergey Brin—the billionaire co-founder of Google and one of the most powerful figures in tech—recently found himself in an unlikely tussle within the very empire he helped build. At the All-In podcast’s live recording in Miami, Brin shared a candid and humorous story that has since sparked fascination across Silicon Valley: he had to fight Google just to allow the use of its own AI model, Gemini, for coding.
Yes, you read that right.
Forbidden to Use Google at Google?
Brin revealed that during a recent internal review, he discovered that Gemini—Google’s flagship generative AI—was inexplicably listed under technologies not allowed for internal coding. “You couldn't vibe code on the Gemini code piece,” he said with bemusement, reflecting the dissonance of a company building cutting-edge tools while simultaneously banning them internally.
The restriction, buried deep within an internal webpage, baffled Brin. “It boggled my mind,” he said, shaking his head. What followed was a “big tiff,” a drawn-out and uphill battle against a faceless company policy that had seemingly outgrown even the reach of its own founder.
The kicker? Even Brin—worth over $140 billion, one of the top ten richest people in the world—had to escalate the matter like any frustrated employee, pleading with higher-ups to fix a policy that made no sense. “I talked to [my boss] and said, ‘I can’t deal with these people, you need to deal with this.’” The experience, he said, left him “beside himself.”
Bureaucracy vs Brin: The Odd Power Play
The tale took a satirical turn when Brin remarked on the surrealism of facing bureaucracy in a company he co-founded. “It’s pretty amazing that some junior muckety-muck can basically look at you and say, ‘Hey, go f*** yourself,’” he quipped, drawing laughs from the podcast audience and a fair share of incredulous headlines in tech circles.
Eventually, the policy was reversed—Gemini was allowed back into the coding toolkit—but not before Brin experienced firsthand the red tape that even billionaires can’t always cut through.
Meanwhile, a $700 Million Gift Quietly Changes Hands
Brin’s name has made headlines for more than just his internal squabble. A recent regulatory filing revealed that he quietly gifted nearly 4.1 million Alphabet shares—worth approximately $700 million. The recipient remains a mystery, though many speculate the shares may have gone to a charitable trust or foundation. This wouldn’t be out of character for Brin, who has a history of philanthropic gestures.
In 2023, he donated $600 million worth of Alphabet stock after Google launched its AI-powered search. Since then, he has given away over $100 million in additional share grants, supporting causes ranging from Parkinson’s research to climate-focused nonprofits and even a $155 billion clean energy project in Denmark.
The Paradox of Power in Silicon Valley
This juxtaposition—Brin battling obscure internal policies while casually parting with hundreds of millions in stock—speaks volumes about the strange paradox of power in today’s tech world. It’s a reminder that even those at the top can be sidelined by the very systems they once helped design.
And as Alphabet’s share price surges following AI-driven announcements—including a new “AI mode” in Google Search—Brin’s quirky tale offers a rare glimpse into the frictions of innovation within mega-corporations. When even Sergey Brin has to wage war against bureaucracy to promote his own company’s products, it raises a broader question: who, really, is steering the ship?
Sometimes, it seems, the biggest challenge in tech isn’t building the future—it’s getting your own team to use it.
Yes, you read that right.
Forbidden to Use Google at Google?
Brin revealed that during a recent internal review, he discovered that Gemini—Google’s flagship generative AI—was inexplicably listed under technologies not allowed for internal coding. “You couldn't vibe code on the Gemini code piece,” he said with bemusement, reflecting the dissonance of a company building cutting-edge tools while simultaneously banning them internally.
The restriction, buried deep within an internal webpage, baffled Brin. “It boggled my mind,” he said, shaking his head. What followed was a “big tiff,” a drawn-out and uphill battle against a faceless company policy that had seemingly outgrown even the reach of its own founder.
The kicker? Even Brin—worth over $140 billion, one of the top ten richest people in the world—had to escalate the matter like any frustrated employee, pleading with higher-ups to fix a policy that made no sense. “I talked to [my boss] and said, ‘I can’t deal with these people, you need to deal with this.’” The experience, he said, left him “beside himself.”
Bureaucracy vs Brin: The Odd Power Play
The tale took a satirical turn when Brin remarked on the surrealism of facing bureaucracy in a company he co-founded. “It’s pretty amazing that some junior muckety-muck can basically look at you and say, ‘Hey, go f*** yourself,’” he quipped, drawing laughs from the podcast audience and a fair share of incredulous headlines in tech circles.
Eventually, the policy was reversed—Gemini was allowed back into the coding toolkit—but not before Brin experienced firsthand the red tape that even billionaires can’t always cut through.
Meanwhile, a $700 Million Gift Quietly Changes Hands
Brin’s name has made headlines for more than just his internal squabble. A recent regulatory filing revealed that he quietly gifted nearly 4.1 million Alphabet shares—worth approximately $700 million. The recipient remains a mystery, though many speculate the shares may have gone to a charitable trust or foundation. This wouldn’t be out of character for Brin, who has a history of philanthropic gestures.
In 2023, he donated $600 million worth of Alphabet stock after Google launched its AI-powered search. Since then, he has given away over $100 million in additional share grants, supporting causes ranging from Parkinson’s research to climate-focused nonprofits and even a $155 billion clean energy project in Denmark.
The Paradox of Power in Silicon Valley
This juxtaposition—Brin battling obscure internal policies while casually parting with hundreds of millions in stock—speaks volumes about the strange paradox of power in today’s tech world. It’s a reminder that even those at the top can be sidelined by the very systems they once helped design.
And as Alphabet’s share price surges following AI-driven announcements—including a new “AI mode” in Google Search—Brin’s quirky tale offers a rare glimpse into the frictions of innovation within mega-corporations. When even Sergey Brin has to wage war against bureaucracy to promote his own company’s products, it raises a broader question: who, really, is steering the ship?
Sometimes, it seems, the biggest challenge in tech isn’t building the future—it’s getting your own team to use it.
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