Ex-Google boss fears AI could be used by terrorists

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt recently stated that he is concerned about the potential for artificial intelligence to be used by terrorists or "rogue states" to "harm innocent people." He emphasized that his real concern is not the risks of AI that most people discuss, but the extreme risks it poses. This concern highlights the need for proactive measures to prevent AI misuse.

In an interview with the BBC, Schmidt pointed out that countries including North Korea, Iran, and even Russia could potentially use artificial intelligence technology to create biological weapons. He called on governments to strengthen regulation of private technology companies developing AI models, but also warned that excessive regulation could stifle innovation. Balancing regulation and innovation is crucial for responsible AI development.

Schmidt supports the United States' export controls on high-performance microchips, which are key to powering the most advanced artificial intelligence systems. Former U.S. President Biden had previously restricted the export of microchips to all countries except 18, aiming to slow down the progress of potential adversaries in artificial intelligence research. However, this decision could still be overturned by Donald Trump. The future of these export controls remains uncertain.

Schmidt emphasized that if artificial intelligence systems fall into the wrong hands, they could be used to develop weapons and create "nasty biological attacks." He fears a situation similar to "Osama bin Laden," where someone uses an aspect of modern technology to harm innocent people. Bin Laden orchestrated the 9/11 attacks in 2001, in which al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked airplanes, causing the deaths of thousands of Americans. Preventing such misuse is a top priority.

Schmidt suggests striking a balance between government regulation of AI development and over-regulation of the industry. He believes that artificial intelligence and the future will largely be shaped by private companies, so governments must understand and oversee the actions of these companies. He added that tech companies should not act unilaterally without oversight, and the industry needs to be regulated. This balance is essential for fostering innovation while mitigating risks.

Schmidt made these remarks after the Paris AI Action Summit, which the United States and the United Kingdom did not sign. U.S. Vice President JD Vance stated that regulation would "stifle a transformative industry in its infancy." Schmidt believes that the consequence of excessive regulation in Europe could be that the AI revolution, which he considers the most important revolution since electricity, will not happen in Europe. The location of the next major AI breakthroughs is at stake.

Schmidt also stated that large technology companies "did not realize 15 years ago" the potential of artificial intelligence, but now they do. He added that technology leaders do understand the impact they are having, but their value judgments may differ from those of governments. During Schmidt's tenure as head of Google, the company acquired Android, which is now the world's most widely used mobile phone operating system. His insights are based on years of experience in the tech industry.

Currently, Schmidt supports initiatives to remove cell phones from schools. He admitted that he is one of the people who did not fully understand the impact of technology on the world and is willing to take responsibility. He believes that children's use of smartphones is particularly concerning and requires appropriate control to protect children from the negative effects of the online world. Protecting children online is a growing concern.

On social media, Schmidt supports proposals to ban children under the age of 16 from using social media. He questioned why such a large-scale, uncontrolled experiment should be conducted on the next generation, the most important people in the world. Advocates for restricting children's use of smartphones argue that phones are addictive and "lure children away from activities essential for healthy development." Limiting screen time is seen as crucial for child development.

The Australian Parliament passed a law in 2024 banning children under the age of 16 from using social media. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was crucial to protect children from the "harms" of social media. A recent study published in the medical journal The Lancet showed that banning cell phones in schools does not improve students' behavior or grades. But the study did find that spending more time on smartphones and social media was associated with poorer outcomes. The debate on the impact of smartphones on children continues.