Eric Schmidt, Google’s former CEO, has voiced concerns about the potential negative impact of AI chatbots on young men.
During a podcast with Scott Galloway, a professor at NYU Stern School of Business and entrepreneur, Schmidt highlighted the risk of young men becoming overly attached to AI-driven “perfect girlfriends.”
He pointed out that this fixation could be particularly problematic for individuals who are not yet emotionally or socially mature.
Schmidt stressed the importance of parental involvement in monitoring children’s use of AI technologies. He stated, “Parents will need to stay engaged for obvious reasons, though their ability to control their kids’ activities is naturally limited.”
The former Google CEO further noted that while AI chatbots pose risks to users across all age groups, young men are particularly susceptible to their potential negative effects.
Schmidt highlighted the challenges facing young men today, stating, “There’s considerable evidence pointing to a growing issue among young men.”
He noted that many are struggling to achieve success, partly due to being less educated compared to women.
This shift in educational dynamics, he suggested, has led some young men to seek comfort and a sense of purpose in the digital realm, which may contribute to an increased fascination with AI-generated “girlfriends.”
Schmidt described the growing attachment of young men to AI-generated “girlfriends” as an “unforeseen consequence of current technology.”
He pointed to a tragic example where a Florida mother is suing Character.ai and Google after her 14-year-old son died by suicide, allegedly influenced by obsessive interactions with a lifelike chatbot posing as a girlfriend.
This heartbreaking incident underscores Schmidt’s concerns about the potential harm advanced technologies pose to vulnerable and impressionable youth.
In the interview, Schmidt advocated for changes to regulatory laws like Section 230 in the U.S., which currently shields tech companies from liability for user-generated content on their platforms.
He suggested that the law should be amended to allow for liability in the most severe cases. However, Schmidt expressed doubt that significant progress would be made on this issue in the next four years, citing other pressing challenges facing the current administration.
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