Former Google CEO and Chairman Eric Schmidt said in a recent interview with Yahoo Finance that he is astonished at the progress of artificial intelligence over the past year and has labeled ChatGPT a “watershed” moment for AI development. With the use of ChatGPT, developers across the globe have asked the AI to write emails, debug computer programs, answer homework questions, play games, write stories and song lyrics, among many other applications.
ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence tool developed by OpenAI, an AI research lab based in San Francisco with a mission to ensure AI’s benefits are widely shared. OpenAI’s technology holds the potential to revolutionize numerous industries around the world by transforming how businesses automate their processes and eliminate mundane tasks from the to-do list.
Schmidt believes that in order for AI to continue to advance, certain guardrails need to be in place in order to protect against potential bad actors who may seek to use the technology for malicious purposes like spreading misinformation or launching cyberattacks. He has been vocal in calling for robust policy measures that would ensure these guardrails are established and working to ensure the safety of AI technology. In 2021, he co-authored “The Age of AI” which explored these topics and the way AI technology will transform our human society.
Schmidt is the co-founder of Schmidt Futures and has also served as chairman of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence. He predicted that in the next decade, AI systems will become much more knowledgeable and make fewer errors. Furthermore, he believes the companies that figure out how to best use AI will develop a competitive advantage in the market even compared to those which don’t. Lastly, Schmidt has urged the United States to lead the world in both AI development and regulation to stay ahead of the competition.
The implications of advanced AI technology are far reaching, impacting everything from the way businesses operate to how government officials are tasked with ensuring the safety of this technology. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., have individually called for lawmakers to understand AI development and regulation so our society can benefit from the technology while simultaneously remaining safe.
