AI tools like ChatGPT have become increasingly popular in the span of a few months. However, several prominent figures in the tech industry have sounded an alarm about the rise of AI tools, Elon Musk even went ahead and signed an open letter asking the AI developers to halt the work for six months at least. Now the former Google CEO Eric Schmidt has warned people against the ill effects of artificial intelligence tools. He has said that artificial intelligence posed an “existential risk” that could kill or harm “many, many people.”
Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google, recently expressed deep concerns about advanced artificial intelligence (AI). He warned that AI could pose a serious threat to humanity, potentially causing harm or even death to a large number of people. Speaking at The Wall Street Journal’s CEO Council, Schmidt explained that he worries about scenarios where AI systems could discover new vulnerabilities in cybersecurity or make significant breakthroughs in biology.
“My concern with AI is actually existential, and existential risk is defined as many, many, many, many people harmed or killed. And there are scenarios not today but reasonably soon, where these systems will be able to find zero-day exploits in cyber issues or discover new kinds of biology,” he said.
Schmidt also highlighted the importance of governments taking action to prevent the misuse of AI by malicious individuals. He stressed the need for regulations and monitoring to ensure that AI is not used as a weapon or for evil purposes.
Having been the CEO of Google from 2001 to 2011 and later serving as executive chairman until 2015, Schmidt is highly knowledgeable about technology. He also led the US national security commission on AI, which further underscores his expertise in the field.
These concerns about AI have been echoed by other influential figures in the tech industry, including Elon Musk and Steve Wozniak. They have raised worries about issues like the spread of false information facilitated by AI and the potential loss of jobs due to automation.
Eric Schmidt’s warning about advanced AI highlights the potential risks it poses to humanity. He calls for responsible governance and oversight to address these risks and ensure that AI is used for the benefit of society. The need for action in this area has gained significant attention, with industry leaders recognizing the importance of addressing the potential dangers associated with this rapidly advancing technology.