Why every company now needs to think and operate like a lab team | Josh Woodward (Google Labs, Gemini, AI Studio)

Every company must adopt a "labs" operating model to navigate the rapid evolution of AI, where the ability to experiment and pivot is essential for survival. Success in this environment depends on an organization's "unlearning rate"—the speed at which teams can abandon ineffective projects—and "explosive endurance," the capacity to sustain high-intensity work over time. Rather than relying on rigid design sprints, the best ideas emerge from curiosity-driven side projects and constant monitoring of "almost possible" technologies. Product-market fit is validated through direct user observation, specifically looking for visceral engagement rather than relying solely on quantitative metrics. Josh Woodward, Head of Google Labs, emphasizes that these teams must maintain independence from core business units to foster innovation, while simultaneously balancing the need for rapid experimentation with the long-term goal of delivering tangible value to users.