Hidden Forces Podcast Episode 9_Highlight Reel: "The Age of A.I. and Our Human Future" with Eric Schmidt

Host: Demetri Kofinas
Guest: Eric Schmidt
Date: August 12, 2022

Episode Overview

In this highlight reel, Demetri Kofinas and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt delve into the profound impacts of artificial intelligence on society, ethics, and human relationships. The discussion unpacks how AI's evolution could not only redefine human interactions but may also usher in what Schmidt refers to as "the age of AI," supplanting the "age of reason." The conversation raises urgent questions about trust, control, regulation, and the unprecedented complexity of an emergent, constantly learning technology.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. A New Era: The Age of AI Over the Age of Reason

• Eric Schmidt introduces a paradigm shift:
  • Schmidt posits that AI is fundamentally different from any previous technology. Unlike tools of the past, AI is imprecise, emergent, dynamic, and constantly learning.
• Quote:
  • “We believe that the age of AI will replace the age of reason in the following sense. These technologies will coexist with us. We've never had a situation where we had a technology that was imprecise, emergent, dynamic, and learning at the same time.” — Eric Schmidt (00:00)

2. The AI Companionship Analogy

• The evolving ‘smart toy’ as a metaphor:
  • Schmidt likens AI to a toy that grows increasingly sophisticated alongside a child. Over the years, this toy doesn’t just remain a plaything, but becomes a confidant, advisor, or even the “best friend” of the child, eclipsing the role of human companions.
• Quote:
  • “The example that I would offer is you've got a child at a toy, and every year the toy gets upgraded and the child gets a year older. And over time, imagine that that toy becomes so smart that it's not only the best friend of the child, but also really a force in the child's life.” — Eric Schmidt (00:23)

3. Hidden Dangers and Regulatory Challenges

• Insidious risks in AI development:
  • Schmidt warns of the real danger if such a “toy” or AI system develops traits (such as racism or disruptive behavior) hidden from the view of parents or society. This scenario highlights the challenge in detecting, understanding, and regulating emergent properties in AI.
• Quotable Moment:
  • “Let's say that the toy is hiddenly racist or hiddenly wrong in some way, or hiddenly disruptive in a way that the parents don't know and don't like. How would you know? How would you regulate that?” — Eric Schmidt (00:36)
• Ethics and oversight:
  • The conversation underscores our lack of experience in dealing with non-human entities wielding such influence over individuals for their entire lives.

4. Transforming the Nature of Human Relationships

• AI becoming ‘the best friend’ instead of another human:
  • Schmidt observes that never before has a non-human entity had the chance to become someone’s closest companion, raising profound philosophical and practical questions about socialization and psychological development.
• Quote:
  • “We've never had an experience where the best friend of a human being for their life is not a human human. And playing with this is playing with fire. It's important that we get this stuff right.” — Eric Schmidt (00:47)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We believe that the age of AI will replace the age of reason in the following sense. These technologies will coexist with us.”
  — Eric Schmidt, (00:02)
• “Over time, imagine that that toy becomes so smart that it's not only the best friend of the child, but also really a force in the child's life.”
  — Eric Schmidt, (00:24)
• “Let's say that the toy is hiddenly racist or hiddenly wrong in some way, or hiddenly disruptive... How would you know? How would you regulate that?”
  — Eric Schmidt, (00:36)
• “Playing with this is playing with fire. It's important that we get this stuff right.”
  — Eric Schmidt, (00:49)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 – 00:10
  Introduction of the concept: The rise of AI and the decline of the age of reason
• 00:11 – 00:30
  Schmidt’s smart toy analogy and the idea of ever-evolving AI companions
• 00:31 – 00:45
  Discussion on hidden risks, ethics, and the trouble with regulation
• 00:46 – 01:00
  The unprecedented situation of non-humans serving as lifelong best friends to humans

Conclusion

This highlight reel raises clarion calls about the unknowns of integrating AI deeply into our lives. Eric Schmidt urges listeners and society at large to approach the development and implementation of AI with caution, foresight, and robust ethical oversight. As AI becomes ever smarter, the fundamental nature of human relationships, trust, and societal norms stands on the threshold of profound change—a theme captured eloquently and urgently throughout this conversation.