Eric Schmidt Warned Against China’s AI Industry. Emails Show He Also Sought Connections to It

In a series of leaked emails, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt was shown warning against the rise of China’s AI industry, while also seeking connections and opportunities within it. The emails, which were obtained by a tech news outlet, reveal the complexities of navigating the global tech landscape and balancing concerns over national security with the potential for growth and collaboration.

Schmidt, who served as Google’s CEO from 2001 to 2011, has been a vocal critic of China’s tech industry and its potential to surpass the US in artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies. In a 2018 email to a colleague, he wrote, “I continue to be concerned about their [China’s] relentless drive to dominate AI.”

However, the leaked emails also show Schmidt and other Google executives actively exploring opportunities in China and seeking partnerships with Chinese companies. In one email exchange, Schmidt discussed a potential collaboration with a Chinese AI firm, expressing interest in their technology and suggesting a meeting to discuss further cooperation.

The revelations have sparked debate within the tech industry about the ethics of engaging with China’s AI industry, given its close ties to the Chinese government and concerns over surveillance and human rights abuses. Some critics argue that by working with Chinese companies, tech giants like Google could be complicit in supporting authoritarian regimes and compromising user privacy.

Despite these concerns, Schmidt and other tech leaders continue to navigate the complexities of the global tech landscape, balancing the potential for growth and innovation with the need to address ethical and security challenges. The leaked emails serve as a reminder of the delicate dance that tech companies must perform in pursuing opportunities in emerging markets while upholding their values and responsibilities as global citizens.