Former Google CEO Reflects on Missed Social Media Opportunity and AI Future
Published on 1/17/2025 | 4 min read
Published on 1/17/2025 | 4 min read
Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google and co-founder of Schmidt Sciences, recently acknowledged a major strategic oversight during his tenure at Google: the failure to capitalize on the rise of social media. Speaking on the podcast The Diary of a CEO, Schmidt candidly took responsibility for what he described as a significant missed opportunity.
“There are moments at Google where we had control over an industry but failed to execute effectively; the clearest example is social media,” Schmidt admitted. “Around the time Facebook was founded, we had a system called Orkut that was truly fascinating. Despite doing many things right, we missed that opportunity, and I take responsibility for it.”
Orkut, Google’s early social networking platform, initially gained traction but ultimately lost momentum to competitors like Facebook and Twitter. Schmidt’s remarks underscore a critical misstep that could have established Google as a leader in the social media landscape.
Reflecting on his career, Schmidt attributed much of his success to the rapid technological advancements of his era. “Moore’s Law, which refers to the accelerating density of chips, has defined the wealth creation, the career creation, and the company creation in my life,” he said.
Schmidt also lauded Google’s mission to organize the world’s information, crediting co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin for their foundational work in web search. He highlighted Google’s expansion into various domains, including AI, emphasizing the pivotal role of DeepMind in advancing artificial intelligence.
“DeepMind here in Britain is essentially the first company to really see the AI opportunity,” Schmidt noted, recognizing its transformative contributions to the field.
Schmidt shared his optimistic vision for artificial intelligence, focusing on its ability to address global challenges. However, he expressed concern about the slow pace of AI adoption. “My actual fear is we’re not going to adopt it fast enough to solve the problems that affect everybody,” he said.
He outlined several areas where AI could have a profound impact:
“Human potential would be so great that it would change everything,” Schmidt stated, envisioning a world where AI levels the playing field in knowledge and opportunity.
When asked about the existential risks of AI, Schmidt offered a reassuring perspective. “No,” he said when questioned if AI could lead to humanity’s end. “It’s much harder to eliminate all of humanity than you would think.”
Drawing from his work on scenarios like biological attacks, Schmidt emphasized that humanity is resilient even in catastrophic events like pandemics. His optimism about AI’s potential far outweighed concerns about its misuse, focusing instead on the technology’s capacity to enhance human life.
During his tenure as Google’s CEO, Eric Schmidt oversaw remarkable growth and innovation. Beyond Google, he continues to contribute to technology discussions through his books, including The New Digital Age and Genesis: Artificial Intelligence, Hope, and the Human Spirit.
These works explore the intersection of technology and humanity, advocating for the responsible development and adoption of AI. Schmidt’s insights highlight the importance of leveraging AI to address global challenges while fostering innovation and equity.
Eric Schmidt’s reflections on Google’s missed opportunity in social media and his vision for AI’s transformative potential offer valuable lessons for the tech industry. Acknowledging past missteps, Schmidt remains focused on the role of technology in improving lives and solving pressing global issues. His optimism and candidness serve as a call to action for embracing AI’s possibilities while addressing its challenges responsibly.