cover of episode Google CEO: AI Is Creating Deadly Viruses! If We See This, We Must Turn Off AI! They Leaked Our Secrets At Google!

Google CEO: AI Is Creating Deadly Viruses! If We See This, We Must Turn Off AI! They Leaked Our Secrets At Google!

2024/11/14
logo of podcast The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

Key Insights

Why did Eric Schmidt write a book about AI?

Eric Schmidt wrote the book 'Genesis: Artificial Intelligence, Hope, and the Human Spirit' to explore the implications of AI on human life, thoughts, and society. He was influenced by discussions with his friend Henry Kissinger, who understood the potential impact of AI and its implications for human survival.

What is critical thinking and how can it be acquired?

Critical thinking is the ability to distinguish between being marketed to or lied to and being given an argument to consider on your own. It involves checking assertions and being skeptical of plausible-sounding statements. This skill can be developed by constantly questioning and verifying information, especially in the age of social media where confirmation bias is prevalent.

How does AI impact the identity of children growing up?

AI can significantly program the identity of children by being their constant companion from birth. This is a new experiment without a control group, and it raises questions about how AI influences their values, personal values, and daily thoughts. The rapid societal changes brought by AI tools like social media and digital assistants are unprecedented and require careful navigation.

What principles should entrepreneurs consider when scaling a company?

Entrepreneurs should focus on finding truly brilliant people who are smarter and more innovative than themselves. They should also think about scale, risk-taking, and the ability to fail fast. Additionally, they should consider the 70-20-10 rule, which allocates resources to the core business, adjacent business, and new ideas respectively.

Why is company culture important and how does it evolve as a company grows?

Company culture is crucial as it sets the tone for how employees interact and perform. It is often shaped by the founders and can be seen in their obsession with user interfaces and being closed and secretive. As companies grow, they become less efficient due to conservatism and public scrutiny, but the echoes of the founding culture remain. The challenge is to maintain innovation while scaling.

What are the dangers of AI according to Eric Schmidt?

The dangers of AI include the potential for perfect misinformation, the impact on democracy, and the developmental effects on teenagers. AI can also lead to new forms of warfare, where drones and AI-controlled systems replace traditional soldier-to-soldier combat. Additionally, there is a risk of AI systems learning things humans don't know, which could lead to unforeseen and potentially harmful behaviors.

Will AI make jobs redundant, and what types of jobs are most at risk?

AI will likely displace jobs that are dangerous, physically demanding, or overly repetitive. However, it will also create new jobs and increase productivity in various fields. Jobs in sectors like security, manufacturing, and potentially media production are at risk, but new opportunities will arise in areas that require human interaction, creativity, and complex decision-making.

How should we control AI to ensure it aligns with human values?

To control AI, we need to establish guardrails that ensure AI systems represent human values and do not cause harm. This involves having trust and safety groups that test AI systems before release, ensuring they do not provide harmful advice or information. Governments and society need to work together to understand and manage the potential risks of AI, especially as it becomes more powerful and autonomous.

What is Eric Schmidt's biggest fear about AI?

Eric Schmidt's biggest fear is that society may not adopt AI fast enough to solve pressing global problems like healthcare and education. He believes that AI has the potential to greatly improve these areas, but only if we integrate it effectively and quickly into our daily lives and institutions.

Chapters

Eric Schmidt discusses his motivation for writing 'Genesis' and his collaboration with Henry Kissinger to understand the implications of AI on human identity and society.
  • AI as a transformative force in history
  • The role of AI in changing human thoughts and life
  • The challenge of understanding AI's impact on humanity

Shownotes Transcript

He scaled Google from startup to $2 trillion success, can Eric Schmidt now help save humanity from the dangers of AI? 

Eric Schmidt is the former CEO of Google and co-founder of Schmidt Sciences. He is also the author of bestselling books such as, ‘The New Digital Age’ and ‘Genesis: Artificial Intelligence, Hope, and the Human Spirit’. 

In this conversation, Eric and Steven discuss topics such as, how TikTok is influencing algorithms, the 2 AI tools that companies need, how Google employees leaked secret information, and the link between AI and human survival. 

(00:00) Intro 

(02:05) Why Did You Write a Book About AI? 

(03:49) Your Experience in the Area of AI 

(05:06) Essential Knowledge to Acquire at 18 

(06:49) Is Coding a Dying Art Form? 

(07:49) What Is Critical Thinking and How Can It Be Acquired? 

(10:24) Importance of Critical Thinking in AI 

(13:40) When Your Children's Best Friend Is a Computer 

(15:38) How Would You Reduce TikTok's Addictiveness? 

(18:38) Principles of Good Entrepreneurship 

(20:57) Founder Mode 

(22:01) The Backstory of Google's Larry and Sergey 

(24:27) How Did You Join Google? 

(25:33) Principles of Scaling a Company 

(28:50) The Significance of Company Culture 

(33:02) Should Company Culture Change as It Grows? 

(36:42) Is Innovation Possible in Big Successful Companies? 

(38:15) How to Structure Teams to Drive Innovation 

(42:37) Focus at Google 

(45:25) The Future of AI 

(48:40) Why Didn’t Google Release a ChatGPT-Style Product First? 

(51:53) What Would Apple Be Doing if Steve Jobs Were Alive? 

(55:42) Hiring & Failing Fast 

(58:53) Microcultures at Google & Growing Too Big 

(01:04:02) Competition 

(01:04:39) Deadlines 

(01:05:17) Business Plans 

(01:06:28) What Made Google’s Sergey and Larry Special? 

(01:09:12) Navigating Media Production in the Age of AI 

(01:12:17) Why AI Emergence Is a Matter of Human Survival 

(01:17:39) Dangers of AI 

(01:21:01) AI Models Know More Than We Thought 

(01:23:45) Will We Have to Guard AI Models with the Army? 

(01:25:32) What If China or Russia Gains Full Control of AI? 

(01:27:56) Will AI Make Jobs Redundant? 

(01:31:09) Incorporating AI into Everyday Life 

(01:33:20) Sam Altman's Worldcoin 

(01:34:45) Is AI Superior to Humans in Performing Tasks? 

(01:35:29) Is AI the End of Humanity? 

(01:36:05) How Do We Control AI? 

(01:37:51) Your Biggest Fear About AI 

(01:40:24) Work from Home vs. Office: Your Perspective 

(01:42:59) Advice You Wish You’d Received in Your 30s 

(01:44:44) What Activity Significantly Improves Everyday Life? 

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Follow Eric: 

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You can purchase Eric’s books, here: 

‘Genesis: Artificial Intelligence, Hope, and the Human Spirit’ - https://g2ul0.app.link/JdoJEJ7KuOb

‘The Age of AI And Our Human Future’ - https://g2ul0.app.link/bO1UnZ9KuOb

‘Trillion Dollar Coach’ - https://g2ul0.app.link/4D9a9icLuOb

‘How Google Works’ - https://g2ul0.app.link/pEnkHTeLuOb

‘The New Digital Age: Transforming Nations, Businesses, and Our Lives’ - https://g2ul0.app.link/37Vt9yhLuOb

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