Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt has warned that artificial intelligence (AI) could be weaponized by rogue states and bad actors to “harm innocent people,” likening the potential danger to an “Osama Bin Laden scenario.”
In an interview with the BBC, Schmidt, who led Google from 2001 to 2017, expressed concern that countries such as North Korea, Iran, and Russia could misuse AI to develop biological weapons.
“This technology is fast enough for them to adopt, and they could misuse it to do real harm,” he told Today presenter Amol Rajan.
He emphasized the need for government oversight of AI development but cautioned that excessive regulation could stifle innovation.
AI as a National Security Threat
Schmidt backed US export restrictions on advanced microchips that power AI systems, a measure implemented under former President Joe Biden to prevent adversaries from accelerating their AI capabilities. However, he acknowledged that this policy could still be reversed by Donald Trump.
“Think about a truly evil person who takes over some aspect of our modern life and uses it to harm innocent people,” Schmidt said, pointing to the possibility of AI-driven biological attacks.
Referencing Bin Laden, who orchestrated the 9/11 attacks, Schmidt warned of AI’s potential to enable similar large-scale threats in the future.
The Battle Over AI Regulation
Schmidt is advocating for a balanced approach—government oversight without suffocating innovation.
“The future of AI will largely be built by private companies,” he said. “It’s important that governments understand what we’re doing and keep their eye on us.”
His comments come after the AI Action Summit in Paris, where the US and UK refused to sign a new global agreement on AI regulation.
US Vice President JD Vance defended the decision, arguing that regulation would “kill a transformative industry just as it’s taking off.”
Schmidt echoed this sentiment, warning that over-regulation could leave Europe behind in AI development:
“The AI revolution, which is the most important revolution since electricity, is not going to be invented in Europe.”
Schmidt Calls for Smartphone Limits for Kids
Schmidt, who led Google when it acquired Android, now supports efforts to keep smartphones out of schools and restrict social media access for minors.
“I didn’t fully understand the impact technology would have on kids, and I’ll take responsibility for that,” he admitted.
He supports banning social media for children under 16, questioning why society is “running such a large, uncontrolled experiment on the next generation.”
His stance aligns with Australia’s recent legislation, which bans social media use for minors.
While some studies suggest school phone bans don’t improve academic performance, research published in The Lancet found that excessive screen time negatively impacts children’s well-being.
“We can all agree that children should be protected from the bad of the online world,” Schmidt said.
