A.I. Poses Existential Risk of People Being ‘Harmed or Killed,’ Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt Says

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt has issued a warning about the potential existential risks posed by artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing the need for governments to ensure the technology is not “misused by evil people.”

Discussions surrounding the future of AI and its regulation have become central to conversations among technologists and policymakers worldwide.

The emergence of ChatGPT, a viral chatbot, has significantly raised awareness about AI, prompting various companies to develop their own AI capabilities and products.

Speaking at The Wall Street Journal’s CEO Council Summit in London, Schmidt expressed his concerns, stating that AI represents an “existential risk,” where numerous people could be harmed or killed.

Schmidt pointed out that while certain scenarios may not be present today, they could arise in the near future.

These scenarios include AI systems being able to identify previously unknown vulnerabilities in software or even discover new aspects of biology. Schmidt stressed the importance of being prepared to prevent the misuse of such advancements by malicious individuals.

Zero-day exploits, which refer to security vulnerabilities identified by hackers in software and systems, were specifically mentioned as potential concerns.

However, Schmidt did not provide a specific perspective on how AI should be regulated, suggesting that it is a broader question for society. He also stated that the establishment of a dedicated regulatory agency for AI in the United States is unlikely.

Schmidt’s warning aligns with similar sentiments expressed by other prominent figures in the technology industry. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has admitted to feeling apprehensive about AI, particularly in relation to authoritarian governments harnessing its power.

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, has repeatedly emphasized the significant risks AI poses to civilization. Even Sundar Pichai, current CEO of Google and Alphabet, has acknowledged the transformative impact of AI and the need for society to prepare for the forthcoming changes.

In 2019, Schmidt participated in the National Security Commission on AI in the United States, which conducted a comprehensive review of AI technology, including the exploration of potential regulatory frameworks.

The commission published its findings in 2021, warning that the country was inadequately prepared for the AI era.