During an appearance on NYU Stern Professor Scott Galloway's The Prof G Show podcast, Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google, discussed how reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) companion apps might hinder emotional development and contribute to radicalization among young people.
He explained how advancements in generative AI, paired with societal struggles like loneliness, could have troubling consequences for younger generations.
Schmidt noted that many young men today feel a sense of hopelessness. A Pew Research Center study revealed that nearly half of US women between the ages of 25 to 34 have earned bachelor's degrees, while only 37% of men in the same age group do.
Did you know?
Want to get smarter & wealthier with crypto?
Subscribe - We publish new crypto explainer videos every week!
Where to Trade Crypto: 3 Best Approaches Explained (Animated)
This educational gap, Schmidt argued, drives some men to seek refuge in technology, including AI companions, to combat their sense of hopelessness.
Schmidt explored how these AI relationships could lead to problems. With advanced personalization and emotional responsiveness, these virtual partners could captivate users to an unhealthy attachment.
He explained:
So now imagine that the AI girlfriend or boyfriend is perfect—perfect visually, perfect emotionally. The AI girlfriend, in this case, captures your mind as a man to the point where she, or whatever it is, takes over the way you're thinking. You're obsessed with her. That kind of obsession is possible, especially with people who are not fully formed.
Schmidt warned that while AI development holds great promise, its unintended consequences must be carefully managed—especially when vulnerable younger audiences are involved.
He also stressed the importance of parental involvement, noting the limitations of even the most attentive oversight.
As AI technology continues to evolve, its unpredictable nature can sometimes take a darker turn. Recently, a graduate student had an unsettling experience with Google’s Gemini. What happened in their conversation? Read the full story.
