Self-Improvement Eric Schmidt, the one-time head of Google, is warning that humans have to "unplug" artificial intelligence before it's too late. In an interview with ABC's George Stephanopoulos, Schmidt suggested that AI technology is innovating so rapidly,

Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt warns of the dangers of rapid AI development and China closing the gap with the US.

Once AI systems start to self-improve their capabilities, ensuring they remain safe will require someone that is ready and able to shut them down, according to Silicon Valley veteran Eric Schmidt. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt cautioned that AI systems might need a kill switch to shut them down if they get too powerful.

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt said that the power of artificial intelligence (AI) can reach a “dangerous” point in the future and that humanity should be ready to step away from it should the time come.

Former CEO & Chairman of Google Eric Schmidt speaks during a book talk for Fareed Zakaria's new book, "Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present" at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs on April 3.

The former head of Google (GOOGL) says computers will soon be able to make their own decisions — and humans will need to know when to pull the plug.