Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt predicts AI data centers will be ‘on military bases surrounded by machine guns’

Google’s former chief executive officer, Eric Schmidt, predicted that the most powerful artificial intelligence systems will be housed on military bases surrounded by machine guns in the US and China.

“Eventually, in both the US and China, I suspect there will be a small number of extremely powerful computers with the capability for autonomous invention that will exceed what we want to give either to our own citizens without permission or to our competitors,” Schmidt told Noema Magazine in an interview that was published on Tuesday.

business, tech, artificial intelligence, china, eric schmidt, google, amazon, ex-google ceo eric schmidt predicts ai data centers will be ‘on military bases surrounded by machine guns’
3

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt said that advanced AI computers will be housed on military bases in the US and China. Getty Images for TIME

The former Google boss who headed the search engine from 2001 to 2011 said that AI systems will gain knowledge at such a rapid pace within the next few years that they will eventually “start to work together.”

Schmidt, whose net worth has been valued by Bloomberg Billionaires Index at $33.4 billion, is an investor in the Amazon-backed AI startup Anthropic.

He said that the proliferation of AI knowledge in the next few years poses challenges to regulators.

“Here we get into the questions raised by science fiction,” Schmidt said.

He identified AI “agents” as “large language model[s] that can learn something new.”

“These agents are going to be really powerful, and it’s reasonable to expect that there will be millions of them out there,” according to Schmidt.

business, tech, artificial intelligence, china, eric schmidt, google, amazon, ex-google ceo eric schmidt predicts ai data centers will be ‘on military bases surrounded by machine guns’
3

Schmidt warned that regulators will have a hard time mitigating risks inherent in the rapid advancement of AI within the next few years. REUTERS

“So, there will be lots and lots of agents running around and available to you.”

He then pondered the consequences of agents “develop[ing] their own language to communicate with each other.”

“And that’s the point when we won’t understand what the models are doing,” Schmidt said, adding: “What should we do? Pull the plug?”

[video_shortcode_youtube src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DgpYiysQjeI?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&start=952&wmode=transparent" itemprop="image" content="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DgpYiysQjeI?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&start=952&wmode=transparent" data-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DgpYiysQjeI?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&start=952&wmode=transparent"]

“It will really be a problem when agents start to communicate and do things in ways that we as humans do not understand,” the 69-year-old former executive said. “That’s the limit, in my view.”

Schmidt said that “a reasonable expectation is that we will be in this new world within five years, not 10.”

He added that tech companies have been working with Western governments on regulating the new technology.

Schmidt said that Western companies dealing in AI are “well-run” and have “exposure to lawsuits” — thus minimizing risk.

“It is not as if they wake up in the morning saying let’s figure out how to hurt somebody or damage humanity,” he said.

But Schmidt warned that “there are evil people” in the world who “will use your tools to hurt people.”

business, tech, artificial intelligence, china, eric schmidt, google, amazon, ex-google ceo eric schmidt predicts ai data centers will be ‘on military bases surrounded by machine guns’
3

Schmidt, 69, is said to be worth more than $33 billion. POOL/AFP via Getty Images

“All technology is dual use,” he said. “All of these inventions can be misused, and it’s important for the inventors to be honest about that.”

Schmidt said that the problem of spreading misinformation through AI as well as deepfakes is “unsolvable.”

“There are some ways regulation can be attempted. But the cat is out of the bag, the genie is out of the bottle,” he said.

Last year, a group of tech leaders from OpenAI, Google DeepMind, Anthropic and other labs warned that future AI systems could pose a threat to humanity that would be deadlier than pandemics and nuclear weapons.

“Mitigating the risk of extinction from A.I. should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks, such as pandemics and nuclear war,” the statement by the nonprofit Center for AI Safety read.

OTHER NEWS

19 minutes ago

Springbok reality hit home for Sharks star Aphelele Fassi

19 minutes ago

Mason Greenwood: LaLiga giants bid to make Man Utd winger fourth-most expensive signing in club history

19 minutes ago

Review: 'Umro Ayyar: A New Beginning' is a good introduction to Pakistan's first superhero

19 minutes ago

National Assembly sitting proceeds despite warnings over legality

19 minutes ago

Going camping off the grid is getting harder. But admit it: You don’t mind.

21 minutes ago

ADC’s exclusive investor event in Abu Dhabi to showcase high-growth investment opportunities in Jordan’s Aqaba

21 minutes ago

Fallen black professionals feel betrayed by ANC

21 minutes ago

Simone Ashley triumphs at Monte-Carlo Television Festival

25 minutes ago

‘You’re not that important’: Joe Hildebrand shoots down CCP critics’ claims

25 minutes ago

$450 million plan to provide rental relief for essential workers

25 minutes ago

Patrick and Yolande endure blistering row as cracks grow deeper in EastEnders

25 minutes ago

Amy Dowden congratulated by fellow Strictly stars on ‘deserved’ MBE

25 minutes ago

Beijing uses panda diplomacy to repair ties with Australia

25 minutes ago

Sabrina Carpenter and boyfriend Barry Keoghan make rare public appearance for a date night at Chiltern Firehouse in London - after appearing together in singer's VERY steamy music video

28 minutes ago

Two people killed, multiple injured in shooting during Juneteenth celebration in Round Rock, Texas

31 minutes ago

Chelsea are 'willing to offer two first team stars' to Crystal Palace in exchange for Michael Olise... as Blues step up interest in the £60m-rated attacker

31 minutes ago

Steve Borthwick urges his England players to attract a new dynasty of rugby fans on summer tour of Japan and New Zealand... as he hails 'incredible' Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate ahead of Euro 2024

31 minutes ago

NFL insider hints at Aaron Rodgers’ location amid Jets absence: ‘Open your mind’

32 minutes ago

The anti-abortion movement is making a big play to thwart citizen initiatives on reproductive rights

32 minutes ago

Canon offers new firmware and applications for 4K remote PTZ camera systems

35 minutes ago

TSB quits City base as staff insist on working at home

35 minutes ago

Terrifying turbulence videos shared by plane passengers

35 minutes ago

The 20 best places to retire in Britain: From the Highlands and an average house price of £200,000, to the historic town within 90 miles of London

35 minutes ago

Kieran Culkin says 'Succession' made him realise his passion for acting

35 minutes ago

Dutton edges out Albo as preferred PM

35 minutes ago

Emma Raducanu snubs Olympic wildcard as Andy Murray learns Paris 2024 fate

35 minutes ago

Albania fans snapping spaghetti at Italy supporters is already the best thing from the Euros

35 minutes ago

DUP founding Wallace Thompson says nationalists need to reach out to unionists over unity

35 minutes ago

Bulls to host Glasgow Warriors in UFC final: Here’s when

35 minutes ago

Legendary coach highlights one aspect that will ‘pay huge dividends’ for Jannik Sinner on grass

35 minutes ago

Nasreddine Nabi confirms he’s held talks with Kaizer Chiefs, but has other offers as well — report

35 minutes ago

Finder survey shows nearly 50 per cent of Aussies are reluctant to travel abroad

35 minutes ago

Today in Politics: Amit Shah to chair high-level huddle on J-K security, Amarnath Yatra preps

35 minutes ago

Wells Fargo Bet on a Flashy Rent Credit Card. It Is Costing the Bank Dearly.

35 minutes ago

Swiss right-wing leader calls Ukraine summit an 'embarrassment'

40 minutes ago

Emma Raducanu REJECTS Team GB wildcard for the Paris Olympics as she continues to ease her way back after injury hell... while Andy Murray is set for a fairytale send-off at the Games

40 minutes ago

Video: 'Hardest Geezer' Russ Cook arrives in Germany for Euros after running 352 miles to support England - and predicts Three Lions victory over Serbia

40 minutes ago

Former sub-postmaster slams 'buffoonery' of Ed Davey's stunt-laden election campaign as Lib-Dem leader faces questions over lack of help during Horizon scandal when he was a minister

40 minutes ago

John Farnham's newly married son Rob shares first photos of his music legend father following cancer surgery that saw 26 doctors reconstruct his jaw

40 minutes ago

Anne is praised as 'outstanding horsewoman' after Princess Royal managed to keep control of her horse during Trooping the Colour