Ex-Google CEO's start-up to build AI-powered attack drones for Ukraine
Billionaire Eric Schmidt, the former CEO and Chairman of Google, has revealed that his new start-up, White Stork, will develop artificial intelligence (AI)-powered attack drones for Ukraine. The initiative aims to create advanced drones that can autonomously identify targets, potentially reducing the need for traditional ground warfare. This announcement comes amid escalating tensions in the region due to Russian military aggression.
Schmidt's response to Russian military aggression
Schmidt's decision to support Ukraine with AI-driven drones was influenced by his dismay over the Russian military's actions in the country. During a lecture at Stanford University in April, he expressed his frustration saying, "Watching the Russians use tanks to destroy apartment buildings with little old ladies and kids just drove me crazy." Now a licensed arms dealer, Schmidt humorously described himself as "a computer scientist, businessman, arms dealer."
White Stork to mass-produce sophisticated drones at affordable prices
White Stork, co-founded by Schmidt and Udacity CEO Sebastian Thrun, is committed to mass-producing sophisticated drones at affordable prices. The company plans to deploy these drones directly to Ukraine with government support, in order to "fight the war." This initiative aligns with Schmidt's previous roles as chair of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence and his decade-long tenure as Google's CEO from 2001-2011.
