Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt becomes an arms dealer for Ukraine, find out how

"Watching the Russians use tanks to destroy apartment buildings with little old ladies and kids just drove me crazy," Schmidt, who founded a drone startup, said

Published on: Aug 19, 2024, 18:10:45 IST

By HT News Desk | Edited by Abhyjith K. Ashokan

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Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google said that his new drone startup intends to help Ukraine, according to a Business Insider report, which describes White Stork, his company as aiming to create AI-driven attack drones.

Now former Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt speaks at a promotional event for the Nexus 7 tablet in Tokyo. (Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon)

"Watching the Russians use tanks to destroy apartment buildings with little old ladies and kids just drove me crazy," Schmidt said at an April Stanford University lecture.

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"Because of the way the system works, I am now a licensed arms dealer," Schmidt said. “A computer scientist, businessman, arms dealer.”

However, "I do not recommend this in your career path, I'd stick with AI," he added.

What does White Stork do?

He had said at the lecture that he was working with Udacity CEO Sebastian Thrun on a company that will "use AI in complicated, powerful ways for these essentially robotic wars."

White Stork works to mass-produce complicated drones at lowered costs that use AI to identify targets, eliminating the need for ground battles with tanks and other artillery.

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With "the support of the governments," he said the drones would go "straight into Ukraine" and "fight the war."

Schmidt had also previously chaired the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence for multiple years. He was the CEO of Google from 2001 to 2011.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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