Podcast Summary: Rich Habits Podcast, Episode 148

Title: Inside Google Finance’s AI Upgrade — With Google VP Rose Yao
Date: December 15, 2025
Hosts: Austin Hankwitz & Robert Croak
Guest: Rose Yao, VP of Product at Google

Episode Overview

In this episode, Austin and Robert welcome Rose Yao, VP of Product at Google, to discuss the complete revamp of Google Finance and its integration with generative AI. Rose shares how the platform is making institutional-grade research, data, and insights available to everyday retail investors—drastically lowering barriers to financial literacy and investment decision-making. The conversation explores the motivations behind these product innovations, the specific tools and features now available, the impact of AI on user experience, and Rose’s personal journey and philosophy on financial habits.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Democratization of Finance with Google AI

[03:20 - 05:23]

• Rose highlights user demand and the growth of the retail investor as the driving force behind this shift.

  “There's a rise in awareness of what it means to build long term wealth…and getting rid of the gates that kept people from accessing both the content, the tools, and…the insights that drive this.” — Rose Yao (03:51)

• Generative AI eliminates intimidation—making it possible to ask any question without judgment and receive a tailored, understandable answer.

2. Key Features of the New Google Finance

[05:23 - 07:38]

• Unified Dashboard: Provides a command center with real-time views of markets and user investments.
• AI Companion: Offers live analysis (e.g., why your portfolio is up or down) and allows users to explore any financial topic.
• Structured Data + Analyst Reporting: Real-time stats, market sentiment, deep-dive comparisons (like ETF vs. ETF), and analyst insights all synthesized for the user.
• Earnings Experience: Live earnings calendar, live audio streams, real-time transcripts with highlights, and AI-powered summaries.
• Light Modeling Tools: Present value calculators, inflation-adjusted projections—heavy lifting made simple.

3. Designing for Earnings Season

[07:38 - 11:22]

• Built by finance professionals (product manager is ex-Goldman Sachs).
• Earnings Workflow:
  • Pre-earnings: Analyst sentiment and predictions.
  • Live: Audio stream or AI-generated summarizations pinpointing the most critical insights.
  • Post-earnings: Explains market reactions and allows users to dig deeper.

  “Often there's that one minute…that was super critical in determining what happens in the aftermarket.” — Rose Yao (09:32)

4. Generative AI & Google Search Evolution

[12:11 - 14:51]

• Generative AI allows users to ask questions in natural language—no more search “hacks.”
• Search becomes a journey ("conversation") rather than one-off queries, accommodating complex decision-making.

  “My dad will ask a question very differently than I do. He no longer had to think about what are the critical words…You can ramble for like a paragraph and we will go figure out what your goals are…” — Rose Yao (13:14)

5. Deep Research (“De-search”) for Investors

[16:33 - 20:59]

• New “deep research” feature mimics a professional analyst's workflow.
• Handles multi-faceted questions (e.g., long-term index diversification, impact of tariffs on sectors).

  “That's what deep research enables anyone to do…So I think it is very powerful for someone who's pretty sophisticated…you can ask a harder question.” — Rose Yao (18:09)

  • Outputs comprehensive, analyst-like reports but requires the user to read and further explore.

6. Personal Journey & Financial Philosophy

[22:55 - 29:24]

• Rose’s background—from Shanghai to Nebraska to Silicon Valley—shaped her belief in technology as a lever for opportunity.

  “Honestly, I feel like I've grown a lot…try to figure out what it means to manage money…” — Rose Yao (23:17)

• She’s made her own investing mistakes (e.g., falling for annuity products), underlining the need for accessible and judgment-free guidance.
• Key Principles:
  • Start with personal goals—differs by age, career, risk.
  • Be honest about how much time you’ll devote to investing (“daily, weekly, quarterly, yearly?”)
  • Understand fees and tax implications—seek compounding and avoid drag.
  • Compound interest is critical: “Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world.” (28:07)
• Memorable quote:

  “Investing is boring. And you get ice cream at the end, right? That, that's investing.” — Craig (29:45)

7. The Next Frontiers in Financial Tools

[31:46 - 34:08]

• AI as proactive advisor: Not just answering questions, but alerting users to pertinent financial events aligned with their goals.
• Hyper-personalized dashboards: Users can create custom visual reports and interfaces that serve their unique needs.

  “Really create the perfect report for you, the perfect experience for you to show like, and discuss with your partner, for instance.” — Rose Yao (33:34)

• Wider discoverability and learning: AI will both teach and guide, removing the need for prompt engineering.

8. What Users Should Ask Google Finance

[36:56 - 37:26]

• Rose’s “dream question” from users:

  “Talk to Google like a person. So say this is my financial goal. This is what I want my life to be like. What should I do? Or how should I make this decision? That's the question I want everyone to try…” — Rose Yao (36:56)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On breaking down barriers:

  “There are no dumb questions. You can ask anything you want. There's never any judgment.” — Rose Yao (04:42)

• On AI assistance:

  “It expands the way people use search and expands the type of problems that we can help people with.” — Rose Yao (14:39)

• On learning from mistakes:

  “I've bought things without looking at the fees...or fallen for the insurance annuity instrument...just don't do it.” — Rose Yao (24:42)

• On compounding:

  “The earlier...even small amounts, they just add up. Think about just holding back on one little habit and putting it into an S&P account.” — Rose Yao (29:24)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 03:20 – Rose on user demand and removing intimidation from finance with AI
• 05:23 – New Google Finance dashboard, AI companion, live features
• 07:38 – Deep dive into earnings season features
• 12:53 – The leap from old search to generative AI
• 17:58 – Deep Research: how AI can mimic analyst reports
• 22:55 – Rose’s personal journey, investing errors, and philosophy
• 28:30 – Discussion on compound interest and its massive long-term impact
• 31:46 – Future of financial tools: AI as proactive partner, custom dashboards
• 36:56 – The one question Rose wants everyone to ask Google Finance

How to Try Google Finance

• Visit: finance.google.com
• Or, search any stock ticker on Google and click “View More” for the full experience.

Episode Tone

Open, approachable, and empowering, with a strong sense of mission to break down barriers between ordinary people and institutional-grade financial insights. The hosts’ curiosity and humility set a welcoming tone, mirrored by Rose’s candor and enthusiasm for both technology and practical, mistake-driven learning.

Summary Prepared for:

Anyone interested in technological disruption in finance, financial literacy, practical investing, or the evolving role of AI in personal decision-making.