Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google, has voiced concerns that the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) poses a significant threat, with the potential to cause catastrophic harm to innocent people.

In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today program, Schmidt warned that AI could be weaponized by extremist groups and “rogue states” such as North Korea, Iran, and Russia, leading to devastating consequences.

Schmidt expressed his deep concern about the rapid advancements in AI, which could be exploited to create weapons, including biological attacks. He stated, “The real fears that I have are not the ones that most people talk about AI, I talk about extreme risk.” Schmidt drew a chilling parallel with the 9/11 attacks, saying, “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.”

He emphasized the rapid pace of AI development and its potential to be co-opted by nations or groups with malicious intentions, citing countries like North Korea, Iran, and Russia as potential threats.

Schmidt urged governments to closely monitor private tech companies pioneering AI research, noting that while tech leaders are aware of AI’s societal implications, they may make decisions based on different values than those of public officials.

Oversight without stifling innovation

Schmidt endorsed the export controls introduced by former US President Joe Biden to restrict the sale of advanced microchips, aiming to slow the progress of geopolitical adversaries in AI research.

He cautioned against excessive regulation that might hinder progress in the AI field, echoing US Vice-President JD Vance’s warning that heavy-handed regulation “would kill a transformative industry just as it’s taking off.”

Global divisions around preventing AI misuse

Attending the AI Action Summit in Paris, Schmidt noted the agreement on “inclusive” AI development signed by 57 countries, including major players like China, India, the EU, and the African Union.

However, the UK and the US declined to sign the communique, citing lack of “practical clarity” and failure to address critical “harder questions” surrounding national security.

Schmidt predicted that Europe’s restrictive regulatory stance would cause the region to miss out on pioneering roles in AI, stating, “The AI revolution, which is the most important revolution in my opinion since electricity, is not going to be invented in Europe.”

Prioritising national and global safety

Schmidt’s comments come amidst increasing scrutiny over AI’s dual-use potential, with leaders and experts advocating for a balanced approach that fosters innovation while addressing the dangers of AI misuse.

While international cooperation remains a complex issue, the consensus is clear: without safeguards, AI’s evolution could have unintended and potentially catastrophic consequences.

(Photo by Guillaume Paumier under CC BY 3.0 license. Cropped to landscape from original version.)

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