Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google, warned that the artificial intelligence (AI) technology could be misused by terrorists or rogue states to cause widespread harm, according to Politico.
Speaking in an interview with the BBC following the Paris AI summit, Schmidt highlighted the “extreme risks” posed by AI if it falls into the wrong hands. He expressed concerns that some nations could exploit AI to achieve malicious goals.
This technology is fast enough for them to adopt that they could misuse it and do real harm.
Drawing a parallel to the 9/11 attacks, Schmidt warned of an “Osama bin Laden scenario,” where a malevolent individual or group could harness AI to inflict catastrophic damage.
I always worry about the ‘Osama bin Laden’ scenario, where you have a really evil person who takes over some aspect of our modern life and uses it to harm innocent people.
Schmidt emphasised the need for government oversight of private tech companies developing AI models to mitigate these risks. However, he also cautioned against overregulation, which he believes could stifle innovation.
Citing Europe as an example, Schmidt criticised the EU’s regulatory approach, arguing that it has driven away industry investment.
The AI revolution, which is the most important revolution in my opinion since electricity, is not going to be invented in Europe.
Schmidt’s call for balanced oversight reflects a growing consensus among tech leaders and policymakers that robust safeguards are essential to prevent AI from becoming a tool for harm.
