Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt says ‘rogue states or terrorists’ can misuse AI to harm innocent people

A recent BBC interview with the former Google chief executive officer, Eric Schmidt, highlighted his worry about extreme risks posed by AI development that could harm innocent people. Schmidt explained that rogue states and extremists could exploit the rapid growth of artificial intelligence to create biological weapons that could inflict catastrophic damage to the public. 

The former Google CEO also highlighted that the risks he considered were not part of what most people considered as risks in AI development. In his opinion, countries like Russia, North Korea, and Iraq had ulterior motives and could misuse the emerging technology for their own purposes. 

Schmidt gave an example of the 9/11 attack initiated by the then al-Qaeda head Osama bin Laden, leading to extremists taking over commercial planes and using them as warheads. The Google ex-CEO highlighted the thousands of victims of the 2001 attack, suggesting that such groups could use AI to carry out similar attacks. 

Schmidt says government oversight is crucial in AI development

Schmidt explained the significance of government oversight in the development of artificial intelligence, mentioning the private sector’s dominance in the technology’s research and innovation. According to the former Google boss, the government should have an idea of what private companies, such as Google, are doing regarding AI. Schmidt further argued that there needed to be a balance between government oversight and development. 

The former Google CEO further addressed the current interest large tech companies had in AI despite their ignorance of its potential years ago. Schmidt also indicated the companies’ leaders’ knowledge of their influence on consumers and their difference in value judgment from regulators. Google is among the tech companies developing AI, including initiating training models for its AI application, Gemini. 

Schmidt applauded former President Joe Biden’s restrictions on AI chip exports to all countries except 18 to maintain the U.S.’s leadership in AI development. The Biden administration also reiterated the need to keep the chips away from bad actors who could leverage the technology to threaten the nation’s national security. The U.S. Department of Defense further maintained that in the wrong hands, AI could be used to create weapons of mass destruction. 

Nvidia, one of the top computing chip makers in the country, outlined that the restrictions would affect the U.S.’s competitiveness while limiting its AI innovation. Nvidia’s Vice President of Government Affairs, Ned Finkle, highlighted the need for autonomy in AI innovation. The EU also expressed concerns about the restrictions, mentioning the need for the region to keep purchasing chips without restrictions from the U.S. 

Countries partner for inclusive AI development

#Regtech #ResponsibleAI

Although the commitments made here are not binding – an agreement reached here which sounds more like a statement of principle than a real commitment, but which at least has the merit of opening “minds” on #AI safety – , the UK and US are refusing to sign… pic.twitter.com/cpGGOxBaY0

— Pinna Pierre (@pierrepinna) February 13, 2025

60 countries, including China, France, Germany, other countries in the EU, and the African Union, signed an international agreement on the inclusive, ethical, and open development of AI.  The statement aimed to maintain global transparency, security, trustworthiness, and accessibility to AI innovation. Another priority for the statement was to ensure AI sustainability for individuals and the global community. 

The agreement was signed during the AI Action Summit, where the EU also pledged $206 billion toward AI development. European Commission president Ursula Von der Leyen described the region’s mission to take a unique approach to the technology’s innovation and use cases. French President Emmanuel Macron also highlighted France’s interest in helping the EU lead in the industry. 

The UK and U.S. still refused to sign the recent international agreement. The UK government expressed concerns about national security and global governance. The U.S., on the other hand, described the AI regulatory approach as stringent. Vice President JD Vanc bashed the EU’s approach during the summit, saying that the country would not take kindly to lightened AI regulations for U.S. tech companies.

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