Google ex-CEO feels not necessarily 'Metaverse' is the best thing for society


By MYBRANDBOOK


Google ex-CEO feels not necessarily 'Metaverse' is the best thing for society

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt comments on Facebook's metaverse and expresses concern about the future of artificial intelligence technology.

 

Schmidt, who served as Google's top executive from 2001 to 2011 and as Executive Chairman until his departure in May 2020, said in an interview that while he believes the technology will soon "be everywhere," he warns it is "not necessarily the best thing for human society."

 

He said, "All of the people who talk about metaverses are talking about worlds that are more satisfying than the current world - you're richer, more handsome, more beautiful, more powerful and faster. So, in some years, people will choose to spend more time with their goggles on in the metaverse. And who gets to set the rules? The world will become more digital than physical. And that's not necessarily the best thing for human society."

 

Schmidt said he views AI technology, which Meta uses to run a majority of its platforms' algorithms, as a "giant, false god" that can create unhealthy and parasocial relationships. He also said, "It will be everywhere. What does an A.I.-enabled best friend look like, especially to a child? What does A.I.-enabled war look like? Does A.I. perceive aspects of reality that we don't? Is it possible that A.I. will see things that humans cannot comprehend?"

 

Schmidt is not alone in his concerns about AI. The technology has been increasingly criticized by business leaders in recent months, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who said his confidence is "not high"in the transparency and safety of AI within his own company. Meanwhile, some analysts say augmented reality poses even more risks of abuse than social media.

 

Schmidt's comments come after Facebook announced Thursday it was changing its corporate name to Meta, and creating the metaverse as a virtual space where people can interact digitally using avatars. The company has been at the center of significant criticism in recent weeks after leaked documents exposed the company's controversial business practices and technology.

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