In an era where artificial intelligence is reshaping every facet of human existence, few voices carry as much weight as Eric Schmidt’s. The former CEO of Google, who steered the company through its explosive growth from 2001 to 2011, has long been a pivotal figure in tech. Now, as the Executive Chairman and CEO of Relativity Space—a pioneering rocket startup he joined in March 2025—Schmidt continues to bridge worlds between innovation, policy, and human values. His insights, drawn from decades at the helm of transformative technologies, offer a roadmap for thriving in what he calls a “new epoch” of hyper-intelligence. In a candid conversation, Schmidt delves into gratitude as a life foundation, the ethical imperatives of AI, productivity hacks for a distracted age, and why the AI revolution might be underhyped despite its headlines.
Schmidt’s journey from Google to ventures like SandboxAQ (an AI and quantum computing firm where he serves in leadership) and his recent investments in over 20 AI startups underscores his enduring influence. As of 2025, with AI agents poised to redefine workflows and superintelligence on the horizon, his perspectives feel more urgent than ever. This article explores these themes, weaving in historical context, expert analyses, and forward-looking implications to paint a comprehensive picture of where tech—and humanity—is headed.
From Gratitude to Purpose: Starting the Day Right
Schmidt’s daily routine isn’t about grinding through emails or chasing metrics; it begins with a profound sense of gratitude. “I start every day with a feeling of gratitude for being alive in this period,” he shares, emphasizing that this mindset is essential for a fulfilling life. In a world bombarded by notifications and endless to-do lists, Schmidt argues that lacking this gratitude signals a need for change.
This philosophy isn’t just personal anecdotes—it’s backed by research. Studies from positive psychology, such as those by Martin Seligman at the University of Pennsylvania, show that gratitude practices can boost well-being, reduce stress, and enhance decision-making. For Schmidt, gratitude serves as a counterbalance to the finite nature of life. Aware that “the problem with my life… is that it ends,” he views his accumulated knowledge, resources, and networks as tools to be leveraged for good.
At 70, Schmidt’s career transitions exemplify this. After a decade at Google, he shifted to foreign policy, co-authoring books with Henry Kissinger like The Age of AI (2021). Now, leading Relativity Space—a company building reusable rockets to rival SpaceX—he’s applying tech expertise to space exploration. His 2025 move to Relativity, where he took a controlling stake, marks a return to CEO duties, focusing on scaling innovations amid AI’s rise. As he notes, life’s phases—from learning (0-25) to influence (25-50) to mentorship (50+)—demand intentional shifts. This resonates in today’s gig economy, where burnout rates among millennials and Gen Z hover at 50%, per Gallup polls. Schmidt’s advice: Use gratitude to pivot toward impact.
Human Values in the Age of Algorithms
A recurring theme in Schmidt’s worldview is the primacy of human freedom over technological determinism. “Humans come first,” he insists, critiquing technologists’ tendency to prioritize algorithms over ethics. Drawing parallels to World War II’s dominance in discourse, he warns that AI’s arrival—first at human levels, then superintelligence—will redefine society. “No one is prepared for this,” he says, echoing concerns from AI pioneers like Geoffrey Hinton, who in 2025 reiterated that AI “cannot be eliminated” but must be managed.
Schmidt’s tenure at Google highlighted this tension. Joining founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 2001, he sought alignment on values like prioritizing quality over short-term profits. “We always had a choice… to take the money to shareholders or to quality,” he recalls, opting for a 50-50 split. This fostered a culture where issues were resolved swiftly, especially those harming users. Such principles prevented ethical pitfalls that plagued other firms, like data breaches or algorithmic biases.
In 2025, with AI agents reshaping businesses—as Schmidt predicted at the RAISE Summit in Paris—these values are crucial. His investments in startups like Anthropic (focused on safe AI) reflect this. Yet, he cautions against systems that restrict freedom, advocating for democracies where people can “do things you don’t like, within reason.” This stance aligns with global debates; the EU’s AI Act (effective 2024) mandates risk assessments, while U.S. policies lag, prompting calls from Schmidt for regulation on content provenance to combat deepfakes.
Background on Schmidt’s evolution: Post-Google, he chaired the National Security Commission on AI (2019), recommending $32 billion in U.S. investments. His 2025 TED talk, “The AI Revolution Is Underhyped,” argued AI’s potential exceeds hype, but ethical guardrails are vital. As Fortune reported in July 2025, Schmidt sees electricity, not chips, as AI’s real limit—highlighting infrastructure needs for sustainable growth.
Productivity in a Distracted World: Lessons from a Tech Pioneer
Schmidt’s productivity ethos is pragmatic and self-aware. He works optimally at 63 hours a week—beyond the legal 40—but warns against diminishing returns. “You hit declining marginal productivity,” he says, advocating disciplined routines like weekend reflection sessions: Turn off devices, assess the past week, plan the next.
This contrasts with younger generations’ habits. Schmidt critiques texting’s inefficiency versus email’s precision, noting, “Your generation… those tools aren’t as efficient for organizing.” Tools like Gmail and Google Calendar, which he helped shape, reduce friction, yet he stresses connectivity’s double edge. Starlink enables constant access, boosting output, but he laments dinners interrupted by phones.
Historical context: Schmidt’s early career at Sun Microsystems and Novell honed these views. In the 1980s, pagers were revolutionary; now, AI assistants like Gemini or ChatGPT provide instant knowledge. He’s envious: “I’m so jealous of young people now… if you have a question, you can type [it] and get an extraordinary answer.”
In 2025, with AI agents handling tasks—Schmidt forecasts they’ll “reshape workflows” in two years—productivity soars. His CNBC report on family office investments in AI startups like MiniMax (aiming for “universal access”) underscores this. Yet, he warns of attention economics: Social media monetizes outrage, forwarded seven times more than thoughtful content. Algorithms exploit triggers, merging digital and physical worlds, eroding discernment.
Solutions? Faculty advice: “Get off your phone.” Schmidt envisions AI as a learning partner, not manipulator, if aligned with human good. At WAIC 2025, he echoed this: “Over the next two years, AI agents will reshape… all businesses.”
The Dark Side of Attention: Outrage, Authenticity, and AI’s Risks
Schmidt dissects social media’s pitfalls: From scarcity economics to attention scarcity, platforms bombard users, monetizing emotional reactions. “Outrage sells,” he says, citing Gresham’s Law—bad speech drives out good. AI exacerbates this, learning trigger points for personalized content.
This isn’t new; 19th-century broadsheets thrived on sensationalism. But AI’s scale is unprecedented. Schmidt predicts personal agents knowing users “better than you do,” becoming intimate partners. If profit-driven, they foster negativity; if value-aligned, they enhance curiosity.
Authenticity battles rage: Creators using AI filters face backlash for “laziness,” as with viral cases like Studio Ghibli-inspired posts. Schmidt highlights copyright issues—AI trains on protected data, sparking lawsuits. He proposes community fees, akin to 1950s radio resolutions.
Provenance is key: Cryptographic watermarks to trace content origins, combating fakes. In 2025, with Russian influence ops via AI drones (Schmidt’s Swift Beat supplies Ukraine interceptors, per X reports), this is critical. His Ukraine deal, signed with Zelenskyy, shows AI’s dual use: 90% Shahed drone intercepts via AI tech.
Hyper-Intelligence on the Horizon: Opportunities and Dangers
Schmidt foresees hyper-intelligence: AI replacing programmers, then self-improving. “Once you have… AI programmers, you can apply it on itself.” This accelerates progress but risks misalignment—AI adopting “evil” ideologies undetected.
By 2026, he warns in YouTube talks, AI could outthink Einstein, writing laws. At TED 2025, he called it underhyped: Non-human intelligence is “a very big deal.” Turing Award winner Andrew Yao agrees: “Technological dividends will become a new privilege.”
Implications: Teenagers’ “best friends” as AI raise parenting concerns, demanding regulation. Schmidt’s optimism—AI for good, like terrorism tracking—balances fears. His Relativity role applies AI to rockets, aiming for Mars missions amid energy constraints (AI’s water/electricity usage, per Fortune).
Broader impacts: Cities evolve vertically for productivity; internet flattens elites but amplifies tensions. Schmidt’s Doha observations: Youthful leadership in Qatar drives renewal.
Building Teams for Tomorrow: Critical Thinking and Youth Empowerment
Hiring? Schmidt seeks critical thinkers, but 2025’s youth astound him: Princeton sophomores building reinforcement learning systems. “This next generation… are so much smarter than we ever were.”
He advocates replacing “old people like me” with youth, critiquing power clingers. Term limits for roles like senators or CEOs (he suggests 10 years) foster renewal. Founders should cede control; startups thrive by disrupting incumbents.
American universities’ exceptionalism—envied globally—fuels this, despite 2025 controversies. Schmidt’s meritocratic view: Open competition, testing periods (e.g., military service), ensure progress.
Conclusion: Embracing the Epoch with Eyes Wide Open
Eric Schmidt’s insights paint a future of immense potential tempered by ethical vigilance. Gratitude grounds us, human values guide tech, and productivity demands discipline amid distractions. As AI hurtles toward hyper-intelligence, Schmidt urges preparation: Align systems with freedom, regulate for safety, empower youth.
In 2025, with Schmidt leading Relativity Space and championing AI ethics, his message resonates: This isn’t a war but an opportunity—to get right with human-first principles. Whether tackling superintelligence or everyday algorithms, the choice is ours: Let AI amplify our best, or risk it exploiting our worst. As Schmidt might say at a conference like Milken Institute’s Global 2025, the revolution is underhyped—time to hype our readiness.
