“Israel is thriving in terms of innovation because you have a culture that makes it possible to question authority and to challenge everything - you don’t follow the rules,” said Google Chairman Eric Schmidt speaking before hundreds of students and researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science. Schmidt’s speech was first quoted in “Yediot Ahronot.”
Schmidt is currently on a short visit to Israel. He arrived at the meeting at Weizmann with executives of the investment firm he heads, Innovation Endeavors, which has been one of the most active investment funds in Israel in recent years.
Schmidt further expressed his admiration for Israel: “The influence that Israelis have on science and technology is tremendous; that’s why I’m here, and that’s why I invest here.” Schmidt also said that, in the modern world, innovation and establishing new companies are necessary in order for an economy to grow.
Schmidt addressed the crowd of researchers and called upon them to “think big”: “You have to take big risks. If you are building something, try and solve global problems.” He cites as examples some of the developments Google is working on, such as contact lenses that can detect glucose levels and help diabetics.
“1.2 million people die each year in traffic accidents. Anything that can be done to reduce this number would be tremendous,” Schmidt said, “In the coming years, many people will move to the big cities, and existing traffic infrastructures will not be sufficient.”
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on June 8, 2015
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2015