Fmr. Google CEO Eric Schmidt on the Consequences of an A.I. Revolution | Amanpour and Company

Artificial Intelligence is here to stay. How it is being applied—and, perhaps more importantly, regulated—are now the crucial questions to ask. Walter Isaacson speaks with former Google CEO Eric Schmidt about A.I.’s impact on life, politics, and warfare, as well as what can be done to keep it under control.

Originally aired on March 23, 2023.

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Amanpour and Company features wide-ranging, in-depth conversations with global thought leaders and cultural influencers on the issues and trends impacting the world each day, from politics, business and technology to arts, science and sports. Christiane Amanpour leads the conversation on global and domestic news from London with contributions by prominent journalists Walter Isaacson, Michel Martin, Alicia Menendez and Hari Sreenivasan from the Tisch WNET Studios at Lincoln Center in New York City.

#amanpourpbs

[emiliog.]

An intelligent discussion. PBS is a National treasure.

[mcaldlnr]

Well that was absolutely fucking terrifying

[blackphillip]

Wow, this is the most important and informative interviews I've heard in ages.

[knhkib]

I can truly say that the previous two weeks have been some of the most incredible and exciting times in my entire life. I find myself completely amazed by the events that are taking place right now. Whenever I try to share my thoughts and feelings with the people around me, I'm met with puzzled looks and a lack of understanding. It makes me wonder if they really grasp the importance and potential impact of the current situation.

[diligentmindz]

This is the scariest thing I have ever heard. My skin is crawling!

[rubberbiscuit]

"Engagement through enragement."
The death of morality.

[lat]

New paradigms ahead, everything will change inimaginably fast!
Such an interesting and necessary conversation!

[Patrick-buvy]

And we thought the atomic bomb would be the end of us. The people who have worked on these have a lot to answer for. The benefits are vastly overstated, while the costs will be all too real. And once the genie is out, it won’t be going back in the bottle.

[seanmcdonald]

Reporter - How can we stop evil humans from using this to destroy society? Eric Schmidt - We can’t! Isn’t it awesome?!?

[markr]

Thanks Walter and Eric. Excellent conversation. Its great to have something new to be terrified about. 🙄

[emmahardesty]

The only possible intellectual response I can come up with is "Yikes!"

[nopartyforpapke]

"Pictures cannot be unseen" - in a way we are some kind of AI ourselves, and our whole internal makeup is up for grabs to anyone who knows how to manipulate.

[CrankyAsF]

Who knew science fiction writers of the 50s would be correct, that AI will destroy the earth in a war man can't control.

[james]

When they start talking about getting rid of free speech things get very scary. The checks and balances of accountability in leaders is very important, even of leading companies that can restrict communication (e.g., Google, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.)

[Zero_ss]

Our 80 year old senators and congressmen couldnt even understand that facebook makes money via selling ads. I think hoping for regulation to save us before the damage is done is going to be a disaster.

[deldridg]

What a privilege to witness this level of conversation and analysis.

[robertmontgomery]

The call for disarmament has been ringing louder than ever before, and it's not difficult to understand why. In recent years, we have witnessed the devastating impact of wars and conflicts, which have not only claimed countless lives but have also resulted in economic devastation, societal upheaval, and the exacerbation of global tensions. As such, disarmament has become a crucial step in achieving lasting peace and stability in the world.

Unfortunately, the United States' foreign policy, particularly under the leadership of the neoconservative movement, has only exacerbated the problem. The neoconservative approach has been characterized by an aggressive and militaristic stance, with a focus on pre-emptive strikes and the use of military force to achieve geopolitical objectives. This approach has led to a significant increase in global tensions, as other countries feel threatened and are forced to respond in kind.

Moreover, the United States' military-industrial complex has become a behemoth, with vast resources dedicated to the development and production of weapons and military equipment. This has created a perverse incentive structure, where war is not only viewed as a legitimate means of achieving foreign policy objectives, but it has also become an economic driver. The result has been a never-ending cycle of conflict, with the United States constantly engaging in wars and supporting proxy conflicts around the world.

To make matters worse, the United States has often played a hypocritical role in international disarmament efforts. While calling for other countries to disarm, the United States has continued to maintain its own massive nuclear arsenal, with no signs of reducing it. This double standard only serves to undermine the credibility of disarmament efforts and perpetuates the global arms race.

It is time for the United States to adopt a new foreign policy approach, one that prioritizes diplomacy, cooperation, and disarmament. This will not only lead to a more peaceful world, but it will also allow the United States to redirect its resources towards addressing domestic challenges, such as inequality, climate change, and infrastructure. Only by breaking free from the cycle of endless war and militarism can the United States truly become a beacon of peace and stability in the world.

[normadenys]

Good talk, although quite worrisome ! I better understood that we have to be more alert to the interaction between human cognition & AI logic

[poulthomas]

Such a good conversation. What this will allow the worst of us to accomplish is staggering.

[robertmontgomery]

Your responses in this interview tell me that it's time for people to wake up and see the reality of the situation. The United States is not the democracy that it claims to be - it is an oligarchy, where a small group of wealthy and powerful individuals hold the reins of power and dictate the policies that shape our world.

As someone who is part of the oligarchy, Eric should know better than anyone else how the system works, and how it is designed to serve the interests of the few at the expense of the many. It's clear from his commentary in this video that he is more concerned with protecting his personal interests than with speaking truth to power and naming the real culprits in this global struggle.

We cannot afford to be complacent and allow the deep state, the US State Department, and the Defense Department to continue their decades-long campaign to mislead ordinary people. We must stay vigilant and hold those in power accountable for their actions. We must demand transparency, honesty, and a true democracy that serves the needs of all people, not just the wealthy and powerful few.

Furthermore, the use of AI technology by these entities is a cause for concern. We must remain vigilant and ensure that AI is not being used to further their agenda, manipulate public opinion, or suppress dissent. We need to demand greater oversight and regulation of AI technology to ensure that it is being used in ways that benefit society as a whole, not just a select few.