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The AI Revolution Is Underhyped | Eric Schmidt | TED
@ TED
05/16/25
Takeaways
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Eric Schmidt
05/16/25
@ TED
The arrival of non-human intelligence is a significant event that many people overlooked in 2016, despite the emergence of powerful algorithms.
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Eric Schmidt
05/16/25
@ TED
In 2016, we recognized that new and powerful algorithms were emerging, but we didn't fully grasp their implications until AI invented a new move in a 2,500-year-old game, Go, which had never been seen before.
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Eric Schmidt
05/16/25
@ TED
The invention of a new move by AI in Go led to discussions about the implications of computers generating ideas that humans had never considered, marking the beginning of the AI revolution.
ES
Eric Schmidt
05/16/25
@ TED
While many view AI primarily through the lens of ChatGPT, I believe AI is underhyped because the advancements in reinforcement learning since then have been extraordinary, enabling complex planning capabilities.
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Eric Schmidt
05/16/25
@ TED
The shift from language processing to planning and strategy in AI indicates that future systems will manage entire business processes autonomously, communicating with each other in English.
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Eric Schmidt
05/16/25
@ TED
A significant limitation to AI progress is the energy requirement; for instance, America needs an additional 90 gigawatts of power, equivalent to 90 nuclear power plants, to support current AI demands.
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Eric Schmidt
05/16/25
@ TED
The future of AI will require not only more data centers but also the ability to generate new data, as we are running out of existing data to train AI systems effectively.
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Eric Schmidt
05/16/25
@ TED
To innovate beyond current knowledge, AI systems must learn to identify patterns across different domains, a capability that they currently lack, which is crucial for future advancements in science and technology.
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Eric Schmidt
05/16/25
@ TED
As AI systems evolve, we must ensure they remain transparent and accountable, especially if they develop their own languages, to prevent unforeseen consequences. In the context of AI, recursive self-improvement occurs when a computer learns independently, potentially leading to uncontrollable outcomes.
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Eric Schmidt
05/16/25
@ TED
We need to establish guardrails for AI development instead of trying to stop its progress in a globally competitive market.
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Eric Schmidt
05/16/25
@ TED
The US military has a doctrine called "human in the loop" to ensure that AI systems remain under human control, which is crucial to prevent crossing dangerous lines.
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Eric Schmidt
05/16/25
@ TED
The competition between the US and China in AI technology will be defining, especially as both countries invest heavily in their respective approaches.
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Eric Schmidt
05/16/25
@ TED
China's advancements in open-source AI could lead to rapid global proliferation of dangerous technologies, which poses significant risks.
ES
Eric Schmidt
05/16/25
@ TED
The potential for nuclear threats arises from AI advancements, as nations may resort to preemptive actions to maintain control over superintelligence.
ES
Eric Schmidt
05/16/25
@ TED
The defining battle for AI supremacy will likely occur between the US and China, as they are the only countries willing to invest the necessary resources.
ES
Eric Schmidt
05/16/25
@ TED
The risk of accidental conflict between the US and China over AI advancements is a serious concern, reminiscent of the events leading to World War I. We must be cautious in preventing non-state actors from misusing AI models, as this could inadvertently lead to the creation of a surveillance state.
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Eric Schmidt
05/16/25
@ TED
It's crucial to uphold the values of individual freedom in the development of AI systems, as well-intentioned engineers can create systems that restrict freedom.
ES
Eric Schmidt
05/16/25
@ TED
Proof of identity is essential in today's world, but it doesn't need to include personal details; cryptographic proofs can verify humanity without linking to other identities.
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Eric Schmidt
05/16/25
@ TED
The future holds the potential to eradicate diseases, with nonprofits working to identify all human druggable targets to aid the drug industry.
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Eric Schmidt
05/16/25
@ TED
We should strive to provide every person with a personalized tutor in their own language to enhance learning from an early age.
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Eric Schmidt
05/16/25
@ TED
The majority of healthcare globally is either lacking or provided by overworked local practitioners; we need to support them with AI-driven assistants for better care.
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Eric Schmidt
05/16/25
@ TED
The arrival of advanced AI and superintelligence is the most significant event in human history, set to unfold within the next 500 to 1,000 years, and it's happening now.
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Eric Schmidt
05/16/25
@ TED
As AI takes over more economically productive tasks, humans will still play vital roles, adapting to new challenges rather than becoming obsolete.
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Eric Schmidt
05/16/25
@ TED
The key challenge for society will be to ensure a productive population to support an aging demographic, as productivity tools will be essential in this transition.
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Eric Schmidt
05/16/25
@ TED
We are on the brink of unprecedented productivity increases, potentially 30% per year, which will reshape our economic models and societal structures.
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Eric Schmidt
05/16/25
@ TED
Navigating the rapid changes in technology is a marathon, not a sprint; it's important to engage with AI daily and understand its implications for relevance in various fields.
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Eric Schmidt
05/16/25
@ TED
If you're not adopting AI technology quickly, you risk becoming irrelevant compared to your peers and competitors in your field.
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Eric Schmidt
05/16/25
@ TED
Recent advancements allow for direct connections between AI models and databases, simplifying processes and eliminating the need for traditional connectors in enterprise software.