Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google, has attributed the company's lagging performance in the AI race to its work-from-home policies and emphasis on work-life balance. Speaking at Stanford University, Schmidt criticized Google's flexible work arrangements for hindering innovation and competitiveness compared to startups like OpenAI and Anthropic. He argued that intense, in-person work environments are essential for success in the fast-paced tech industry. While Schmidt initially stood by his comments, he later walked them back, admitting he 'misspoke' about Google's work hours. Despite his critiques, Google continues to adopt a hybrid work policy, requiring employees to be in the office at least three days a week.