Strategy question
Why is Google investing in self-driving cars?
- Strategy
- Easy
Practice this question out loud. An AI interviewer asks it, follows up like a real interviewer would, and scores your answer. Type or speak.
Start a mock interview on this question · Mock interview from a job description
What this question tests
Tests basic strategic reasoning, connecting a bold bet to a company's core business and long-term positioning.
How to approach it
- State the core rationale: self-driving protects and extends Google's ad and data business by capturing future screen time and location data in vehicles.
- Name new revenue lines: robotaxi rides, licensing the self-driving stack to automakers, and mapping or logistics data.
- Frame the strategic defense: prevents disruption risk if transportation shifts toward autonomous fleets controlled by others, like Uber or automakers.
- Note the long-term optionality: a 10-plus year bet consistent with Alphabet's Other Bets model of funding moonshots with patient capital.
What a strong answer includes
- Connects the bet explicitly to Google's ad and data core rather than treating it as a random moonshot.
- Names concrete monetization paths, licensing, robotaxi and data, instead of just innovation.
- References Alphabet's Other Bets structure to show awareness of how Google funds long-horizon bets.
Common mistakes
- Answering only because it's cool or futuristic tech without tying it to business strategy.
- Not mentioning Alphabet's Other Bets structure or Google's ad-business connection at all.
Likely follow-up questions
- How would you measure ROI on a bet with a 10-plus year payoff horizon?
- What's the risk if Waymo falls behind Cruise or Tesla?
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More questions from Google
Learn the skill behind it
Chapters of the AI PM course that teach what this question tests.
- Chapter 4: Discovery and strategy for AI products
- Chapter 9: Prove it paid off: outcomes, economics, and pricing
- Chapter 14: Get the job: the AI PM interview loop