Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt worried about ‘Bin Laden’ AI scenario

• Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt expressed worries about AI being used by adversaries and rogue states to harm the public, citing potential malicious intent from countries like North Korea, Iran, and Russia.
• Schmidt made these comments while attending a summit in Paris with representatives from various countries to discuss artificial intelligence. The U.S. and U.K. declined to sign a pledge for more “inclusive” AI.
• Schmidt advocates for some regulation of AI but believes that private companies will largely shape its future. He previously mentioned the possibility of “unplugging” AI systems if they evolve unchecked.

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One of the founders of search giant Google worries about artificial intelligence getting into the wrong hands. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt told the BBC’s Radio 4 Today that AI in the hands of an adversary could mean using an aspect of life and turning it against the public.

“I’m always worried about the Osama bin Laden scenario where you have some truly evil person takes over some aspect of our modern life and uses it to harm innocent people,” Schmidt said. 

Schmidt said “rogue states” could also use AI with malicious intent.

“Think about North Korea, Iran, or even Russia, who have some evil goal,” Schmidt told the host Amil Rojan. “This technology is fast enough for them to adopt that they could misuse it and do real harm.”

Schmidt was in Paris, where U.S. representatives and dozens of other countries convened for a two-day summit on artificial intelligence. The U.S. and U.K. notably declined to sign a pledge for more “inclusive” AI. Vice President J.D. Vance also criticized the measure, saying it would introduce burdensome regulations on a fledgling industry. 

Schmidt took a middle-road approach to AI regulation. He said he thinks some regulation should be in place. However, he also said, “The truth is that AI and the future is largely going to be built by private companies.”

Last December, he told ABC News that we may eventually have to consider “unplugging it all” if AI systems continue to evolve unchecked.

Before leaving office, former President Joe Biden took steps to limit what countries had access to advanced microchips from American companies like Nvidia.