Eric Schmidt, the former chief executive of Google, has expressed grave concerns over the potential misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) by terrorists and rogue states. Speaking from Paris after the conclusion of the AI Action Summit, Schmidt highlighted the risks posed by advanced AI technologies if they fall into the wrong hands. Despite the ongoing discussions at the summit, both the United States and the United Kingdom declined to sign the agreement addressing these potential threats.
Schmidt fears that nations like North Korea, Iran, or Russia could exploit AI technologies to develop biological weapons. He warned, "Think about North Korea, or Iran, or even Russia, who have some evil goal. This technology is fast enough for them to adopt that they could misuse it and do real harm." His concerns extend to scenarios involving individuals with malicious intent, as he noted, "I'm always worried about the 'Osama bin Laden' scenario, where you have some truly evil person who takes over some aspect of our modern life and uses it to harm innocent people."
Reflecting on the rapid advancement of AI, Schmidt recalled his tenure as head of Google when the company acquired Android, which has since become the most-used mobile phone operating system globally. He acknowledged that large tech companies "did not understand 15 years ago" the potential of AI but have since grasped its implications. With this understanding, he emphasized the need for government oversight to balance AI development without stifling innovation through over-regulation.
Schmidt supports US export controls on powerful microchips essential for advanced AI systems. These controls, enacted by former President Joe Biden and potentially subject to reversal by Donald Trump, aim to prevent misuse by restricting exports to a limited number of countries. Schmidt said, "The truth is that AI and the future is largely going to be built by private companies," underscoring the role of tech firms in shaping the AI landscape.
However, Schmidt cautioned against excessive regulation, particularly in Europe, which he fears could hamper innovation. He stated, "The real fears that I have are not the ones that most people talk about AI – I talk about extreme risk." He added, "My experience with the tech leaders is that they do have an understanding of the impact they're having, but they might make a different values judgment than the government would make."
While advocating for regulation, Schmidt insisted that private companies should not operate without oversight. "We're not arguing that we should unilaterally be able to do these things without oversight; we think it should be regulated," he remarked. Nevertheless, he warned that too much regulation could "kill a transformative industry just as it's taking off."
Schmidt's call for balance between innovation and regulation highlights the complex challenges facing global leaders as they navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape. His insights echo growing concerns about ensuring AI technologies are developed and used responsibly.