Karthik Narain joins Google Cloud as Chief Product and Business Officer, driving AI innovation and cloud transformation under Sundar Pichai’s leadership.
New Delhi | October 21, 2025 | The Interview Times— In a major development for the tech industry, Karthik Narain has joined Google Cloud as its first Chief Product and Business Officer. Welcomed by Google CEO Sundar Pichai, this strategic appointment highlights Google Cloud’s commitment to accelerating AI-driven transformations for enterprise customers. With businesses increasingly leveraging cloud computing and artificial intelligence, Karthik Narain’s expertise positions Google Cloud for enhanced growth, innovation, and market competitiveness.
Google Cloud Announcement: A Warm Welcome from Industry Leaders
On October 21, 2025, Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian introduced Karthik Narain via LinkedIn, emphasizing his leadership in product and engineering across cloud, developer tools, data, and applied AI. Narain will also oversee the go-to-market organization and collaborate closely with Google Public Sector teams.
Sundar Pichai expressed his excitement on LinkedIn, stating:
“I’m thrilled that Karthik Narain is joining Google Cloud as its Chief Product and Business Officer, a key leader on Thomas Kurian’s exceptional team. Karthik will partner closely with our Cloud customers as they transform their businesses with AI. His role will help accelerate the strong growth we are already seeing in Google Cloud.”
Reflecting on his move, Karthik Narain shared:
“After more than 25 years in the tech consulting industry, I am excited to share the next chapter of my career at Google Cloud. This is a unique opportunity to combine my expertise in engineering, product strategy, enterprise systems, and business processes with Google’s cutting-edge AI and cloud technologies to drive digital transformation.”
Karthik Narain’s Professional Background
Karthik Narain brings over 25 years of experience in technology consulting, with deep expertise in cloud, AI, data, and enterprise solutions.
- Accenture (2015–2025): Narain served as Chief Technology Officer and Group Chief Executive of Technology. He was a key member of the Global Management Committee and led initiatives such as the $3 billion Cloud First program and the Data & AI business. He also founded Accenture’s Center for Advanced AI, forged strategic partnerships with AWS, Microsoft, and Google, and tripled the company’s cloud-certified workforce. His work enabled clients across financial services, high tech, and software platforms to accelerate AI adoption and cloud migration.
- HCLTech (2005–2015): Served as Vice President and Vertical Head for High Tech, Software & Platforms, and Automotive sectors.
- Infosys (Pre-2005): Started his career in software engineering and consulting.
A graduate with a Master’s degree in Computer Systems and Business from Bharathidasan University, India, Karthik Narain is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and is widely recognized for his mission-driven approach to technology leadership.
Driving AI and Cloud Innovation at Google Cloud
In his newly created role, Karthik Narain will report directly to Thomas Kurian and lead product strategy, business growth, and customer engagement. His focus includes accelerating AI adoption among enterprise clients and leveraging Google’s advanced technologies to enable digital transformation at scale.
This appointment comes as Google Cloud strengthens its competitive position against AWS and Microsoft Azure in the hyperscale cloud market. With initiatives like Gemini Enterprise, Google Cloud is emphasizing AI-first solutions, and Karthik Narain’s leadership in scaling ecosystems and partnerships is expected to drive both innovation and market share growth.
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Why This Matters
Karthik Narain’s transition from Accenture to Google Cloud underscores the growing convergence of consulting expertise and cloud services. His experience in responsible AI deployment and industry-specific cloud solutions will help Google Cloud meet enterprise demands in sectors like healthcare, finance, and manufacturing.
For businesses exploring AI strategies or cloud migration, this strategic hire signals Google Cloud’s readiness to deliver scalable, value-driven solutions. As Sundar Pichai emphasized, there is “much more to come,” indicating an exciting period of growth and innovation for Google Cloud under Karthik Narain’s guidance.