How Australian Hugh Williams shaped Google Maps, Microsoft and Silicon Valley

Dec 29, 2025 – 5.00am

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If you’ve navigated the streets with Google Maps, scrolled endlessly through social media, or hunted for an image online, you’ve been guided by Hugh Williams – even if you’ve never heard his name.

Williams is among Australia’s most accomplished technologists on the global stage, shaping the architecture of some of the world’s largest technology giants. Today, he’s the guy companies such as Canva and DoorDash fly in to solve their difficult search problems.

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