- Eric Schmidt warns that AI could be exploited by terrorists and hostile nations to harm innocent people.
- He highlights concerns that countries like North Korea, Iran, and Russia might misuse AI to develop biological weapons.
- Schmidt advocates for government oversight of AI but warns against excessive regulation that could hinder innovation.
Former Google chief executive Eric Schmidt has voiced deep concerns that artificial intelligence could be exploited by terrorists or hostile nations to “harm innocent people.”
Schmidt highlighted “extreme risks” associated with AI, beyond the common debates surrounding the technology. He specifically warned that countries such as North Korea, Iran, and Russia could adopt AI to develop biological weapons.
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Schmidt, who served in senior leadership roles at Google from 2001 to 2017, emphasized the urgency of government oversight on private tech companies developing AI models. However, he cautioned against excessive regulation, which he believes could stifle innovation.
He also backed U.S. export controls on advanced microchips, which are essential for cutting-edge AI systems. Before leaving office, President Joe Biden restricted the export of these chips to all but 18 countries in an effort to curb adversaries’ AI advancements—a policy that could still be overturned by Donald Trump.
“Think about North Korea, Iran, or Russia—nations with potentially malicious intent,” Schmidt said. “AI is evolving quickly enough that they could misuse it to cause real harm.”
He went further, warning that AI in the wrong hands could be used to develop weapons capable of launching a “bad biological attack from some evil person.”
“I’m always worried about the ‘Osama bin Laden’ scenario, where a truly malevolent individual gains control over modern technology and uses it to target innocent people,” he said, referring to the 9/11 mastermind.
Schmidt advocated for a balanced approach to AI oversight, recognizing the critical role private companies play in AI development.
“The truth is that AI and the future will largely be shaped by private companies,” he said. “It’s crucial that governments understand what we’re doing and monitor us closely.”
He insisted that the tech sector is not opposed to oversight, stating, “We’re not arguing for unchecked authority—we believe regulation is necessary.”
Schmidt’s comments came from Paris, where the AI Action Summit concluded without the U.S. and UK signing an international agreement on AI regulation.
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U.S. Vice President JD Vance argued that imposing strict regulations would “kill a transformative industry just as it’s taking off.” Schmidt echoed concerns about over-regulation, warning that Europe’s cautious approach risks sidelining the continent in the AI revolution, which he called “the most important technological shift since electricity.”
He also acknowledged that major tech companies underestimated AI’s potential 15 years ago but have since grasped its profound impact.
“My experience with tech leaders is that they are aware of their influence, but their value judgments may differ from those of governments,” he said.
