On the popular YouTube channel The Diary Of A CEOSteven Bartlett, a leading figure in business leadership with more than 8.06 million subscribersinterviewed Eric Schmidtformer CEO of Google and one of the most influential minds in the technological field. The conversation explored the scope and risks of artificial intelligence (AI), addressing topics such as future of workthe mental health of young people and the challenges ethical of digital platforms.
Schmidt, who led Google in its period of greatest growth (2001 – 2011), offered a perspective unique about how AI is transforming society and businessushering in an era of profound changes that are already reshaping entire industries.
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way businesses operate, from production to customer service. According to the former Google executive, this technology is not only a competitive advantage, but a requirement to survive in an increasingly automated market. “If you are not using AI in all aspects of your business, you will not succeed”he stated.
However, not everything is a threat. Schmidt recalled that the history of technology shows that, although many tasks disappearnew ones usually emerge opportunities. A clear example is manufacturing, where robots have replaced repetitive tasks, but have also increased efficiency and created more specialized roles. This phenomenon, he said, is especially evident in countries like Japan and South Korea, where low birth rates have driven the use of technology to make up for the lack of labor.
“There will be a lot of job dislocation, but also more jobs, not less”, assured the interviewee. To achieve this transition, he stressed the importance of investing in education and trainingequipping people with skills compatible with this new technological environment.
Regarding the transformation of the workplace, the expert highlighted that the hybrid model is now a inescapable reality. Although working from home can increase productivity in some cases, Schmidt cautioned that for young people in their early professional stagesface-to-face contact is key to learning work dynamics and develop interpersonal skills.
“If you have 20 yearsyou need to be in the office to understand how the world really works,” he commented, highlighting that the spontaneous exchange of ideas is essential to foster creativity and innovation. This interaction, he added, is especially valuable in startups y companies technologicalwhere disruptive ideas often emerge from informal conversations.
At a crucial moment in the interview, the impact of social media, and in particular TikTok, was analyzed in depth. Schmidt described the operation of his algorithm as a “addictive machine”specifically designed to maximize the time spent by users on the platform.
“TikTok shows you what think you are interestedbut occasionally introduce content that hooks you even more. It’s like a slot machine, always looking to keep you connected,” he explained. This design not only reinforces already existing beliefs, creating information bubblesbut also contributes to the disinformation spread.
The effect of these dynamics on mental health, especially among adolescents, it’s alarming. Schmidt highlighted that girls between 11 and 12 years old, a particularly vulnerable stage, are facing a “epidemic of emotional damage”with rates record of self-harm and emergency visits. He noted that the algorithms do not have a positive bias by default: yes a teenager consume depressing contentthe system will continue to suggest similar content, perpetuating a negative emotional state.
Throughout the conversation with Steven Bartlett, the technology leader insisted on the need to set clear boundaries on AI development. One of his strongest warnings was about emergent learning, a phenomenon in which machines acquire skills not explicitly programmed. “In five years, these machines will learn things we didn’t even know they could learn. If they start communicating in a language we don’t understand, it will be time to turn them off.”, he emphasized.
Schmidt also proposed an ethical revenue model for platforms like TikTok. He explained that in Google prioritized improving the quality of contenteven at the cost of short-term revenue, and recommended that other companies should take a similar approach. “Social networks should represent the best of our humanity: creativity, invention and hope, not the worst we can be”, he noted.
The era of artificial intelligence raises fundamental questions about the future of the work, information and human relations. Eric Schmidt stressed that the challenge is not only in creating advanced technology, but in ensuring that it serves the interests of humanity. From educating people in critical thinking to regulate the use of algorithmsthe responsibility falls on governments, companies y citizens.
“Technology can make our lives easier and more productive, but its true usefulness will depend on whether it is aligned with human values”, he concluded. Ultimately, what we do with AI today will define whether it will be an engine of progress or a catalyst for problems.
Schmidt’s final message is clear: we are at a turning point history. Although artificial intelligence offers powerful tools to solve global problems such as education and health, it can also amplify inequalities, manipulate information and dehumanize our interactions.
The success of this technological revolution will not be measured by the power of the machines, but by our ability to direct its development with wisdom and ethics. The key is to remember that technology should be a tool at the service of humanity, not its owner.
Eric Emerson Schmidt was born on April 27, 1955 in Washington, DC, and is an American businessman and technologist recognized for his leadership in Google. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Princeton University in 1976 and completed an MS and PhD in Computer Science at the University of California, Berkeley, in 1979 and 1982, respectively.
Before joining Google, Schmidt held positions at companies such as Sun Microsystems y Novell. In 2001, he joined Google as CEO, performing this role until 2011. During his tenure, he oversaw the transformation of Google from a startup to a global technology leader. Subsequently, he was executive president of Google (2011-2015) and Alphabet Inc. (2015-2017), and technical advisor to Alphabet until 2020.
In addition to his business career, Schmidt is a co-founder of Schmidt Futuresa philanthropic initiative that promotes talent and innovation to address global challenges.
In 2021, he founded the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP) and has served as its president since then.
As of November 2024, his net worth was estimated at 35.4 billion dollars, placing it in position 48 on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
