Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt has sounded a warning about the potential risks of artificial intelligence (AI) in future conflicts. In a recent interview, Schmidt suggested that countries could engage in a form of "mutual assured AI malfunction," where the deployment of AI systems by rival nations could lead to unintended and potentially disastrous consequences.
Schmidt, who currently chairs the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, emphasized the need for international cooperation and agreements to prevent the misuse of AI in conflicts. He warned that the development and deployment of AI systems without proper safeguards and regulations could lead to a new era of instability and unpredictability.
The concept of "mutual assured AI malfunction" is a play on the Cold War-era concept of "mutual assured destruction," where the threat of nuclear war was used as a deterrent to prevent conflict. However, in the context of AI, the risks are more complex and unpredictable, as AI systems can behave in unexpected ways and cause unintended harm.
Schmidt's warning highlights the need for a more nuanced and cooperative approach to the development and deployment of AI systems, particularly in the context of national security and conflict. As AI becomes increasingly ubiquitous in our lives, it is essential that we prioritize responsible AI development and deployment, and work towards establishing international norms and agreements to prevent the misuse of AI.
