AI News Monitor

Former Google CEO Expresses Concern Over Potential AI Weaponization by Rogue States and Terrorists

Eric Schmidt, the former chief executive of Google, has raised alarming concerns about the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) in a world where rogue states or terrorist organizations could use the technology to harm innocent people. Schmidt, who held key positions at Google from 2001 to 2017, shared his fears in an interview with the BBC, describing the risk of AI being used for “extreme” harm, far beyond the more commonly discussed concerns.

In a chilling warning, Schmidt expressed that AI could be exploited by countries such as North Korea, Iran, or Russia, to develop dangerous biological weapons. He emphasized that these nations could use the rapid advancements in AI technology to create weapons of mass destruction or engage in biological warfare. “This technology is fast enough for them to adopt that they could misuse it and do real harm,” Schmidt said during an interview on the BBC’s Today programme. He pointed to the possibility of AI systems being used to execute “a bad biological attack from some evil person.”

Schmidt elaborated on his fears, noting that AI could fall into the wrong hands, with the potential for terrorist figures, like the late Osama Bin Laden, to exploit the technology for harmful purposes. “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,” Schmidt stated. The former Google CEO referred to Bin Laden’s orchestration of the 9/11 attacks in 2001 as an example of the kind of evil individuals who could potentially weaponize emerging technologies like AI.

In light of these concerns, Schmidt called for a balance between government oversight and innovation in the rapidly advancing tech industry. While acknowledging that the future of AI will largely be shaped by private companies, Schmidt stressed the importance of appropriate government monitoring to ensure the technology is not misused. “The truth is that AI and the future is largely going to be built by private companies,” he explained. “It’s really important that governments understand what we’re doing and keep their eye on us.”

The tech billionaire also supported US export controls on advanced microchips, which are critical to the development of AI systems. These controls were imposed by former US President Joe Biden to slow down adversaries’ progress on AI research, and could still be reversed by former President Donald Trump. Schmidt agreed with these measures, highlighting the importance of controlling access to powerful technologies to prevent misuse by hostile states.

While advocating for oversight, Schmidt cautioned against over-regulation that could stifle innovation. In particular, he voiced concerns over the potential impact of European regulations, stating that excessive restrictions could prevent Europe from leading the AI revolution. “The AI revolution, which is the most important revolution in my opinion since electricity, is not going to be invented in Europe,” Schmidt warned.

Schmidt’s comments came after the AI Action Summit in Paris, where the US and UK refused to sign a new international agreement on AI regulation. US Vice President JD Vance argued that regulation could “kill a transformative industry just as it’s taking off,” echoing Schmidt’s concerns about striking the right balance between regulation and innovation.

In addition to his remarks on AI, Schmidt also addressed concerns regarding children’s use of smartphones. He admitted that as head of Google, he failed to fully understand the potential negative impact of technology on younger generations. Reflecting on his time at Google, Schmidt took responsibility for the role tech companies have played in the challenges faced by children today, particularly in relation to smartphone addiction and social media.

Schmidt supported initiatives aimed at keeping smartphones out of schools and proposed limitations on children under the age of 16 using social media. “Why would we run such a large, uncontrolled experiment on the most important people in the world, which is the next generation?” Schmidt asked. His concerns align with growing calls to limit children’s access to mobile phones and social media due to their addictive nature and potential negative effects on child development.

Australia recently passed legislation banning social media use for those under 16, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighting the importance of protecting children from online harms. Schmidt’s comments reflect a broader societal debate about the impact of smartphones and social media on mental health, with some studies indicating that excessive use can lead to poorer academic performance and behavioral issues.

As AI technology continues to advance, Schmidt’s warnings about its potential misuse are likely to fuel ongoing debates about the need for both innovation and regulation in this rapidly evolving field.