The Steady Drip

Fmr Google CEO: China Just 6 Months Behind US on AI (Connecting the Dots: Eric Schmidt, Google, China, Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Vernon E. Jordan Jr., The Economic Club of Washington, The Commercial Club of Chicago & The Carnegie/Soros Network)

Newsmax.com

By Brian Freeman | Wednesday, 28 October 2026 03:26 PM EDT

https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/artificial-intelligence-china-google/2026/10/28/id/1274346/

China has narrowed the gap with the United States in artificial intelligence development to roughly six months, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt said in an interview with Rapid Response, warning that Beijing's ability to rapidly expand energy and data center infrastructure could further erode America's lead.

Schmidt warned that China has made substantial progress over the past two years despite U.S. restrictions on its access to advanced computer chips, with Chinese developers finding ways to build competitive AI systems using less energy.

"A year or two ago, it looked like China was a year or two behind. Now it looks like they're six months behind, and there are many studies that show this," Schmidt said.

Schmidt, who previously advocated restrictions on Beijing's access to advanced chips, acknowledged that the measures had not slowed Chinese AI development as much as he initially expected.

"I assumed they would work for about 10 years," he said.

Although the U.S. retains advantages in advanced semiconductor technology, talent, and access to capital, Schmidt said China has an increasingly important edge in the infrastructure required to develop and operate energy-intensive AI systems.

"China has infinite energy, most of it renewable, something we said we were going to do in our country 10 years ago and failed to do," he said.

Schmidt pointed to China's rapid construction of data centers and power infrastructure, contrasting it with delays facing U.S. developers seeking to connect new sites to the electrical grid.

"They don't have interconnection queue waits that go on seven years. They don't have the same kind of debates. They're building the data centers, and they're building them massively," Schmidt said.

He estimated that the United States will need between 60 and 80 gigawatts of additional power capacity by 2030 or 2031 to keep pace with AI demand, with each gigawatt costing some $50 billion.

"What we don't have is the energy, and we don't have the data centers," he said.

Schmidt's warning comes as the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure raises concerns about electricity prices, pressure on power grids, and the demands data centers place on local water supplies, The Hill reported.

Data centers require substantial amounts of electricity to run advanced computing systems and, in many cases, water for cooling.

The surge in projected demand has prompted questions about how utilities will finance new generation and transmission capacity and whether those costs could be passed on to consumers.

Senate Democrats have begun examining the potential effects on household electricity bills. Earlier this month, Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland released a report examining how data centers could raise costs.

The issue could become a larger focus of congressional oversight if Democrats regain control of Congress in November. Lawmakers have signaled plans for closer scrutiny of major technology companies and potentially tougher regulations governing AI safety, according to The Hill.

The debate presents a challenge for U.S. policymakers seeking to maintain the country's technological advantage while addressing the infrastructure demands and economic consequences of rapid AI expansion.

Schmidt argued that restrictions on advanced chips alone may not be sufficient to preserve the U.S. lead if China continues to expand its computing infrastructure and energy capacity more quickly.

Google's Eric Schmidt talks about how to run the world (not that he wants to)

Thursday, January 3, 2019

https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2019/01/googles-eric-schmidt-talks-about-how-to.html

June 9, 2008 | 3:48 pm

https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2008/06/googles-eric-sc.html

Despite its famous motto of "Don't be evil," there are some in the dark corners of the Web who speculate that Google's real plan is to take over the world. Google Watch features headlines such as "Google Must be Stopped," and "Is Google God?" The site Google World Domination even has a countdown clock, which indicates that the Skynet-type moment when we will all be slaves to the mighty Google algorithms will take place in roughly 6 years and 192 days. (Interestingly, the site, which includes a creepy video, features ads by Google, demonstrating how insidious that plot actually might be).

With that type of speculation out there, it's news any time a Google executive talks about running the world.

And that's exactly what Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt did today, sort of.

He didn't say that Google wanted to run the world. But he did offer an interesting suggestion to a crowd of power players in Washington about the best way to do it: Just like Google.

"It is possible to build a culture around innovation. It is possible to build a culture around leadership. And it is possible to build a culture around optimism. Google is an example, but by no means the only example, of a culture that can be built based on relatively scalable principles. We could run our country this way. We could run the world this way."

It was meant to be an inspiring moment ...

...as Schmidt wrapped up a speech to the Economic Club of Washington during a luncheon in a packed ballroom at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Click here for an audio clip of Schmidt's comments.

The appearance was a homecoming of sorts for Schmidt. Vernon E. Jordan Jr., the club's president and a former President Clinton advisor, noted that Schmidt was born a few blocks away from the hotel at George Washington University Hospital, and grew up in the Northern Virginia suburbs. His mother, Ellie Schmidt, was in the audience.

Schmidt talked about cloud computing and the promise of mobile devices, all the while plugging some Google products. For the journalists sitting in the back of the room (no lunch of seared beef filet with Cabernet reduction and lemon and thyme glazed salmon filet for us), Schmidt did commisserate about the state of the newspaper industry.

"We all care a lot about this. Newspaper demand has never been higher. The problem is revenues have never been lower. So people are reading the newspaper they're just not reading it in a way where the newspapers can make money on it. This is a shared problem. We have to solve it. There's no obviously good solution right now."

One possible solution some have have floated has been for Google to use a sliver of its approximately $175 billion market cap to buy a newspaper, such as the New York Times, but Schmidt recently downplayed such an idea.

Like many Silicon Valley executives who come to Washington, Schmidt spoke broadly about technology (his speech was titled, "The Future of the Internet: Engine for Economic Growth") and did his best not to make any major news. He didn't even come close to mentioning Yahoo, let alone comment on the possibility of Google cutting a deal to place ads next to Yahoo's search results.

Schmidt opted to talk less about the nuts-and-bolts of one of the world's largest companies than the ways in which technology can shape the future. Noting that the United States was founded "by people who saw a better model," Schmidt concluded his speech with this call to arms:

"So let's be revolutionaries. Let's take this opportunity, this huge change that is before us, with technlology, and let's change businesses, communications and the way we interact, on some new principles that reflect the very best of America."

Those sound like the words of someone who might be considering a run for higher office one day, assuming Google isn't running everything by then.

-- Jim Puzzanghera

Puzzanghera, a staff writer, covers tech and media policy from Washington

Photo: Google CEO Eric Schmidt during today's speech before the Economic Club of Washington. Credit: Getty Images.

Connecting the Dots:

Ritz-Carlton Hotels is a Subsidiary of Marriott International.

Kathleen Matthews was the EVP for Marriott International Inc. and is a director at the Economic Club of Washington.

Susan Molinari is a director at the Economic Club of Washington and a VP for Google Inc.

Vernon E. Jordan Jr. was the president of the Economic Club of Washington, is a senior counsel for Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP and an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank).

Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP was the lobby firm for Google Inc.

David M. Rubenstein is the president of the Economic Club of Washington and a co-chairman for the Brookings Institution (think tank).

Sheryl K. Sandberg was a trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank) and a VP for Google Inc.

Google Inc. was a funder for the Brookings Institution (think tank).

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Brookings Institution (think tank) and the New America Foundation.

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Carnegie Corporation of New York was a funder for the Brookings Institution (think tank), the New America Foundation and a supporter for the American Society for Muslim Advancement.

Andrew Carnegie was the founder of the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Google Inc. was a funder for the New America Foundation.

Alan B. Davidson was a senior policy counsel for Google Inc. and is a fellow at the New America Foundation.

Eric E. Schmidt was a funder for the New America Foundation the CEO for Google and is the chairman of the New America Foundation.

Jonathan Soros is a director at the New America Foundation, George Soros’s son and was the vice chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the New America Foundation and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society, is Jonathan Soros’s father and the founder & chairman for the Open Society Foundations.

Open Society Foundations was a funder for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank).

Carnegie Corporation of New York was a funder for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank) and a supporter for the American Society for Muslim Advancement.

Andrew Carnegie was the founder of the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the founder of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank).

Jon M. Huntsman Jr. is a trustee at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank) and an ambassador to China for the Barack Obama administration.

J. Stapleton Roy is a trustee at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank) and was a U.S. ambassador for China.

Victoria Ransom is a trustee at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank) and was a director of product for Google Inc.

William H. Donaldson was a trustee at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank) and a lifetime trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank).

Open Society Foundations was a funder for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank).

George Soros is the founder & chairman for the Open Society Foundations, a friend of Michael Douglas and was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank) and the Aspen Institute (think tank).

Frederic V. Malek is trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank) and was the president of Marriott hotels & resorts for the Marriott Corporation.

Ritz-Carlton Hotels is a Subsidiary of Marriott International.

Javier Solana is a trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank), and was a high representative for common foreign & security policy for the European Union (EU).

European Union (EU) is the executive body for the European Commission.

European Commission fined Google Inc. in 2017 for antitrust.

L. John Doerr is a trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank) and a director at Google Inc.

Google Inc. was a funder for the Aspen Institute (think tank).

Bloomberg Family Foundation was a funder for the Aspen Institute (think tank).

Walter Isaacson is a director at the Bloomberg Family Foundation, the president & CEO for the Aspen Institute (think tank) and was a chairman & CEO for CNN.

Hisashi Owada was a lifetime trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank) and is a director at the Nuclear Threat Initiative (think tank).

Ted Turner is a co-chairman for the Nuclear Threat Initiative (think tank) and the founder of CNN.

Michael Douglas is a director at the Nuclear Threat Initiative (think tank) and a friend of George Soros.

Paul S. Otellini is a director at the Nuclear Threat Initiative (think tank) and is a director at Google Inc.

Carnegie Corporation of New York was a funder for the Nuclear Threat Initiative (think tank), the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank) and a supporter for the American Society for Muslim Advancement.

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank) was a funder for the Nuclear Threat Initiative (think tank).

Andrew Carnegie was the founder of the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the founder of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank).

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society, is a friend of Michael Douglas and the founder & chairman for the Open Society Foundations.

Open Society Foundations was a funder for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank) and the Atlantic Council of the United States (think tank).

Robert G. Liberatore was a director at the Atlantic Council of the United States (think tank) and is a director at the Economic Club of Washington.

Andrew Carnegie was the founder of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank) and the founder of the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Carnegie Corporation of New York was a funder for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank), the Atlantic Council of the United States (think tank), the Brookings Institution (think tank) and a supporter for the American Society for Muslim Advancement.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank) and the Brookings Institution (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Sheryl K. Sandberg was a trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank) and a VP for Google Inc.

Google Inc. was a funder for the Brookings Institution (think tank).

Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP was the lobby firm for Google Inc.

Vernon E. Jordan Jr. is a senior counsel for Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP, an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank), Valerie B. Jarrett’s great uncle and was the president of the Economic Club of Washington.

David M. Rubenstein is a co-chairman for the Brookings Institution (think tank) and the president of the Economic Club of Washington.

Susan Molinari is a director at the Economic Club of Washington and a VP for Google Inc.

Kathleen Matthews is a director at the Economic Club of Washington and was the EVP for Marriott International Inc.

Ritz-Carlton Hotels is a Subsidiary of Marriott International.

Arne M. Sorenson is the president & CEO for Marriott International Inc. and a trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank).

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Brookings Institution (think tank) and the Aspen Institute (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Carnegie Corporation of New York was a funder for the Brookings Institution (think tank), the Aspen Institute (think tank) and a supporter for the American Society for Muslim Advancement.

Andrew Carnegie was the founder of the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Frederic V. Malek is trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank) and was the president of Marriott hotels & resorts for the Marriott Corporation.

James S. Crown is the vice chairman for the Aspen Institute (think tank) and a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago.

Lester Crown was a lifetime trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank) and is a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago.

Valerie B. Jarrett is a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago, Vernon E. Jordan Jr’s great niece and was the senior adviser for the Barack Obama administration.

William M. Daley is a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago and was the chief of staff for the Barack Obama administration.

R. Eden Martin is the president of the Commercial Club of Chicago and was counsel at Sidley Austin LLP.

Michelle Obama was a lawyer at Sidley Austin LLP.

Barack Obama was an intern at Sidley Austin LLP.

Newton N. Minow was a senior counsel at Sidley Austin LLP, a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago and an honorary trustee at the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Carnegie Corporation of New York was a funder for the Brookings Institution (think tank) and a supporter for the American Society for Muslim Advancement.

Andrew Carnegie was the founder of the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Brookings Institution (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Cameron F. Kerry is a fellow at the Brookings Institution (think tank), John F. Kerry’s brother, a senior counsel at Sidley Austin LLP and was an associate at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr.

Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr was the lobby firm for Google Inc.

Judge Randolph D. Moss was in private practice at the Washington office of Wilmer, Cutler, Pickering, Hale & Dorr, LLP, is a district judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and ruled that President Donald Trump's plan to crack down on asylum claims overstepped his authority.

Judge Theodore D. Chuang served as counsel at the law firm of Wilmer, Cutler, Pickering, Hale and Dorr LLP and In March 2025, Chuang ruled that President Donald Trump and Elon Musk's dismantling of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Robert S. Mueller III was a partner at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, a director at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), investigating interference with Russia in the 2016 U.S. election, special counsel investigating Russian ties in the 2016 Donald Trump presidential campaign, a special counsel at the U.S. Department of Justice, James Quarles III assisted him in the Russia probe, Jeannie Rhee assisted him in the Russia collusion probe and Aaron Zebley assisted him in the Russia probe.
James Quarles III was a partner at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr and assisted Robert S. Mueller III in the Russia probe.

Jeannie Rhee is a partner at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, assisted Robert S. Mueller III in the Russia collusion probe and was a deputy assistant attorney general at the U.S. Department of Justice.

Aaron Zebley was a partner at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr and assisted Robert S. Mueller III in the Russia probe.

Jared Kushner’s law firm is Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, Jamie S. Gorelick is his attorney, is the senior adviser to the president for the Donald Trump administration and Donald Trump’s son-in-law.

Jamie S. Gorelick is a partner at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, Ivanka Trump & Jared Kushner’s attorney, was a deputy attorney general for the U.S. Department of Justice and a trustee at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank).

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society and is the founder & chairman for the Open Society Foundations.

Open Society Foundations was a funder for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank).

Carnegie Corporation of New York was a funder for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank) and a supporter for the American Society for Muslim Advancement.

Andrew Carnegie was the founder of the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the founder of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank).

Jon M. Huntsman Jr. is a trustee at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank) and an ambassador to China for the Barack Obama administration.

J. Stapleton Roy is a trustee at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank) and was a U.S. ambassador for China.

Victoria Ransom is a trustee at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank) and was a director of product for Google Inc.

Google Inc. was a funder for the Brookings Institution (think tank).

Sheryl K. Sandberg was a VP for Google Inc. and a trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank).

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Brookings Institution (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society

Carnegie Corporation of New York was a funder for the Brookings Institution (think tank) and a supporter for the American Society for Muslim Advancement.

Andrew Carnegie was the founder of the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Larry D. Thompson is a trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank) and the EVP of governmental affairs, general counsel & secretary for PepsiCo, Inc.

Kimberly Cheatle served as Senior Director in Global Security at PepsiCo. and was the 27^th director for the U.S. Secret Service (She was in charge of the Secret Service when President Trump was shot in Butler).

Michael H. Jordan was the division chairman & CEO for PepsiCo, Inc. and an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank).

Google Inc. was a funder for the Brookings Institution (think tank).

Sheryl K. Sandberg was a VP for Google Inc. and a trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank).

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Brookings Institution (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Carnegie Corporation of New York was a funder for the Brookings Institution (think tank) and a supporter for the American Society for Muslim Advancement.

Andrew Carnegie was the founder of the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Astrid S. Tuminez was a program officer at the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the 7th President of the Utah Valley University (Location where Charlie Kirk was shot & killed).

Charlie Kirk was fatally shot last Sept. 10 while speaking at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University in Orem.

Carnegie Corporation of New York was a funder for the Aspen Institute (think tank) and a supporter for the American Society for Muslim Advancement.

Andrew Carnegie was the founder of the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Aspen Institute (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Frederic V. Malek is trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank) and was the president of Marriott hotels & resorts for the Marriott Corporation.

Ritz-Carlton Hotels is a Subsidiary of Marriott International.

Javier Solana is a trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank), and was a high representative for common foreign & security policy for the European Union (EU).

European Union (EU) is the executive body for the European Commission.

European Commission fined Google Inc. in 2017 for antitrust.

L. John Doerr is a trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank) and a director at Google Inc.

Google Inc. was a funder for the Aspen Institute (think tank).

Madeleine K. Albright was a trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank) and a professor at Georgetown University.

Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding was a center at Georgetown University.

Alwaleed bin Talal is a benefactor for the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, a member of the Breakthrough Energy Coalition and the founder for the Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation.

George Soros is a member of the Breakthrough Energy Coalition.

Chester A. Crocker is a professor at Georgetown University and a member of the Cosmos Club.

William R. Tiefel is a member of the Cosmos Club, was a vice chairman for Marriott International Inc. and the chairman for the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.

Charles M. Firestone is a member of the Cosmos Club, and an executive director, Communications and Society Program for the Aspen Institute (think tank).

Beth A. Brooke-Marciniak is a trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank) and was a director at the White House Project.

Daisy Khan was a director at the White House Project, is married to Feisal Abdul Rauf, a developer for Park51 and an executive director for the American Society for Muslim Advancement.

Feisal Abdul Rauf is married to Daisy Khan, the founder & chairman for the Cordoba Initiative, a developer for Park51 and a co-founder for the American Society for Muslim Advancement.

Muslim Leaders of Tomorrow is the sponsor for the Cordoba Initiative and the American Society for Muslim Advancement.

Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation was a funder for the Muslim Leaders of Tomorrow.

Carnegie Corporation of New York was a supporter for the American Society for Muslim Advancement, a funder for the Aspen Institute (think tank) and

Andrew Carnegie was the founder of the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Aspen Institute (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society and is the founder & chairman for the Open Society Foundations.

Open Society Foundations was a funder for the Atlantic Council of the United States (think tank).

L. John Doerr is a trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank) and a director at Google Inc.

Google Inc. was a funder for the Aspen Institute (think tank).

Beth A. Brooke-Marciniak is a trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank), a director at the Atlantic Council of the United States (think tank) and was a director at the White House Project.