TED Talks Daily: The AI Revolution is Underhyped | Eric Schmidt

Release Date: May 15, 2025

In this thought-provoking episode of TED Talks Daily, host Elise Hu engages in a profound conversation with Eric Schmidt, former CEO and chairman of Google, delving deep into the current state and future of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Together, they explore the capabilities, challenges, ethical dilemmas, and immense potential of AI, arguing that the AI revolution is significantly underappreciated.

1. The Emergence of Non-Human Intelligence

Timestamp: [03:26]

Eric Schmidt begins by reflecting on the pivotal moment when AI began to surpass human capabilities in complex tasks. He references the breakthrough of AlphaGo, an AI system that demonstrated unprecedented strategic prowess in the ancient game of Go.

“The system of AlphaGo was essentially organized to always maintain a greater than 50% chance of winning. And so it calculated this move, which was a great mystery among all of the GO players... that began the process that led to two books. And I think, frankly, is the point at which the revolution really started.”
— Eric Schmidt [04:37]

This milestone marked the true commencement of the AI revolution, showcasing algorithms that could innovate beyond human intuition and strategy.

2. The AI Revolution: Underhyped and Rapidly Advancing

Timestamp: [04:37]

Contrary to the prevailing sentiment that AI is over-hyped, Schmidt posits that AI's impact is profoundly underestimated.

“Most of you think of AI as, I'll just use the general term as ChatGPT... Since then, the gains in what is called reinforcement learning... it's extraordinary.”
— Eric Schmidt [04:51]

He emphasizes the exponential advancements in reinforcement learning and planning capabilities, highlighting systems that can conduct deep research and generate complex academic papers within minutes.

3. Scaling Challenges: Energy and Computation

Timestamp: [06:56]

Schmidt addresses the formidable challenges associated with scaling AI, particularly focusing on energy consumption and computational demands.

“There's a real limit in energy... one calculation, and I testified on this week in Congress, that we need another 90 gigawatts of power in America.”
— Eric Schmidt [06:56]

He illustrates the staggering power requirements of modern AI systems, equating 90 gigawatts to the energy output of 90 nuclear power plants—a solution that remains politically and practically unfeasible.

Additionally, Schmidt discusses the anticipated surge in computational needs as AI evolves from deep learning to more sophisticated reinforcement learning and test-time compute processes.

4. Ethical Dilemmas: Dual-Use Technology

Timestamp: [12:55]

The conversation shifts to the dual-use nature of AI technology, which can be harnessed for both beneficial civilian applications and potentially harmful military uses.

“The US military has a rule called 3000.09, generally known as human in the loop or meaningful human control... it's a line we can't cross.”
— Eric Schmidt [12:55]

Schmidt underscores the importance of maintaining human oversight in AI applications, especially in military contexts, to prevent autonomous systems from making unchecked decisions.

5. Open Source vs. Proprietary AI Models

Timestamp: [17:52]

A critical discussion emerges around the implications of open-sourcing powerful AI models. While open-source fosters innovation and widespread accessibility, it also poses significant security risks.

“What happens when there's an open source model that is really dangerous and it gets into the hands of the Osama Bin Ladens of the world?... The consensus in the industry right now is the open source models are not quite at the point of national or global danger.”
— Eric Schmidt [17:52]

He warns of the potential for malicious actors to exploit open-source AI, accelerating their technological advancements and posing grave threats to global security.

6. Balancing AI Safety and Surveillance

Timestamp: [20:18]

Schmidt addresses the delicate balance between ensuring AI safety and avoiding the creation of a surveillance state. He advocates for preserving individual freedoms while implementing necessary safeguards.

“It's very important that human freedom be preserved in this. ... Proof of identity does not have to include details... zero knowledge proofs are the most obvious one.”
— Eric Schmidt [20:18]

He suggests innovative solutions like zero-knowledge proofs to verify human identity without compromising personal privacy, thereby maintaining autonomy while mitigating risks.

7. Optimistic Visions: AI for Global Good

Timestamp: [21:30]

Shifting to a more hopeful perspective, Schmidt envisions a future where AI addresses some of humanity’s most pressing challenges. He highlights areas such as healthcare, education, and scientific discovery.

“Can we just uptake these and right now eradicate all of these diseases?... Why do we not have every human being on the planet have their own tutor in their own language to help them learn something new?”
— Eric Schmidt [21:30]

He advocates for leveraging AI to eliminate diseases, revolutionize education with personalized tutors, and advance scientific research, fostering a world of radical abundance and improved quality of life.

8. The Human Role in an AI-Driven Future

Timestamp: [24:13]

Schmidt contemplates the societal shifts that will accompany widespread AI integration. Contrary to fears of mass unemployment, he suggests that humans will continue to adapt, finding new roles and enhancing productivity.

“Humans are unchanged in the midst of this incredible discovery. Do you really think that we're going to get rid of lawyers?... These tools will radically increase that productivity.”
— Eric Schmidt [24:38]

He emphasizes the necessity for humans to embrace AI to remain relevant, highlighting a projected 30% annual increase in productivity facilitated by AI advancements.

9. Navigating the AI Era: Wisdom and Advice

Timestamp: [26:17]

Concluding the discussion, Schmidt offers sage advice for individuals and society as a whole to navigate the rapid advancements in AI.

“This is a marathon, not a sprint... If you're not using this technology, you're not going to be relevant compared to your peer groups and your competitors.”
— Eric Schmidt [26:39]

He encourages continuous engagement with AI technologies, advocating for daily progress and adaptability to harness AI’s full potential without being overwhelmed by its rapid pace.

Conclusion

Eric Schmidt's insights paint a comprehensive picture of the AI landscape, highlighting both the unprecedented opportunities and the existential challenges it presents. He calls for balanced approaches that embrace AI's potential for global good while implementing robust safeguards to prevent misuse. As AI continues to evolve, Schmidt’s perspective serves as a crucial guide for navigating the complexities of this transformative technology.

Notable Quotes:

• “The system of AlphaGo was...a great mystery among all of the GO players...is the point at which the revolution really started.” — Eric Schmidt [04:37]

• “There's a real limit in energy... 90 gigawatts is 90 nuclear power plants in America. Not happening.” — Eric Schmidt [06:56]

• “What am I going to do? Sabotage... Bomb your data center? Wow. Now do you think I'm insane?” — Eric Schmidt [16:00]

• “Proof of identity does not have to include details... zero knowledge proofs are the most obvious one.” — Eric Schmidt [20:18]

• “This is a marathon, not a sprint... If you're not using this technology, you're not going to be relevant.” — Eric Schmidt [26:39]

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the essence of Eric Schmidt's discussion on AI's current trajectory, future possibilities, and the critical considerations necessary to navigate this revolutionary era effectively.