Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google and executive chairman of the board of directors of Google and Alphabet, has highlighted his concern regarding the existential threat posed by artificial intelligence (AI). Speaking at a recent event in London, Schmidt pointed out that we don’t fully understand the implications of having such high levels of intelligence that accompany us every day. He warned that AI’s ability to work with us has never been seen before and that it could pose a threat to humanity.
Schmidt went on to explain what he means by existential threat, defining it as “the injury or killing of many, many, many people.” He emphasized that there are scenarios, not today, but quite soon, where these systems will find zero-day exploits, machines, or new kinds of biology, which could be abused by evil people.
Schmidt’s concerns have been echoed in a comprehensive report written by him and 14 other experts in his capacity as Chairman of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence. The report warns that Americans have not yet realized how the AI revolution will fundamentally affect the economy, national security, and welfare. The report admits that much is still to be learned about AI and its future applications. Still, it emphasizes that AI is changing the world, and it brings the strongest tools in a generation, which can be used for both civilian purposes and weapons.
The report identifies China as a threat, highlighting its ambition to overtake the US as the world’s AI leader within a decade. Schmidt and his vice-chairman, Bob Work, wrote that China’s domestic use of AI sets a frightening precedent for anyone who values individual freedom. The report acknowledges that the US’s technological supremacy, the backbone of its economic and military power, is under threat, and it needs to win the AI competition.
The threats of IT attacks and disinformation campaigns amplified by AI pose a massive challenge to upholding democratic values such as data protection and civil rights when using AI for purposes of national security. The report, therefore, includes a strategy to defend against AI threats and use AI responsibly for national security and broader technology competition.
In conclusion, it is evident from Schmidt’s remarks and the report that AI poses significant threats to humanity. While AI brings powerful tools, it also amplifies the threats of IT attacks, disinformation campaigns, and the abuse of AI systems by evil people. It is, therefore, imperative to prioritize the responsible use of AI for national security and broader technology competition while upholding democratic values such as data protection and civil rights.
