Ex-Google chief: U.S. must do 'whatever it takes' to beat China on AI

Key context: Schmidt has previously warned about the encroaching command of China in the AI sphere, particularly with its military buildup and "high tech authoritarianism." To counter the threat, Schmidt said Thursday that the U.S. should invest more in research, ethics and AI infrastructure and partner with countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Israel and Japan. He said broad consensus exists in the West on AI ethics, but those would probably contrast with standards developed in China. Having the United States and its partners lead the charge on ethical standards will be crucial in ensuring they reflect "human values," Schmidt said. "China is simply too big," he said.