Ep. 5, Eric Schmidt: Former CEO of Google – Gratitude, Human Values, AI, Hyper-Intelligence, & Throughput

In this episode, The Gstaad Guy sits down with Eric Schmidt, former CEO and Chairman of Google, to explore how gratitude and human values can coexist with rapid technological acceleration. From the role of AI in reshaping productivity to the dawn of hyper-intelligence, Eric shares his thoughts on how to remain grounded in an age defined by algorithms. The conversation touches on the ethical responsibilities of tech leadership, the importance of human freedom in a machine-driven world, and how embracing gratitude can offer clarity amid complexity. With a rare mix of philosophical depth and operational insight, Eric unpacks what it means to build and live intentionally in the future we’re all rushing toward. Filmed at Nobel LA’s Benedict property. Timestamps: (00:00) Intro ✨ (02:00) “Knowledge & intellect” 📖🧠 (03:40) Scale the next generation 📈 (05:30) “Values in Founders" 🔍🤝 (06:55) Principles of Command ✒️ 📜👉 (10:00) Conversations & learning 💬📚🧠 (12:33) “Detailed planning, detailed thinking, & command” 📆🤔👉 (13:29) “Reducing friction” 🚫🐌 (15:35) “Latency, the enemy of productivity”⏳🚀 (17:20) “Economics of scarcity to scarcity of attention” 💰📊⚠️ (21:16) “The “search” & the application of algorithms”🔎💻🌐 (23:41) Gresham’s Law ⚖️ (25:22) “Would The Gstaad Guy be a good boyfriend?” 🇨🇭🏔️❤️ (28:00) “Outsmarting AI” 🤓🤖 (32:16) “Algorithms making content" 💻🌐🎥 (34:29) Dude With Sign 🪧 (36:57) “A digital extension of yourself" 💻🤳❓ (40:12) “Manipulate human behaviour” 🎭🙃 (41:03) “A change in hardware” 🔄📱 (42:33) “Switching off" 🎚️📴 (44:08) The impact of the internet 🌐😎 (45:57) “Designing a city” 🏙️🧑‍🎨 (48:11) The next generation 🎁 ⏭️ 🧑‍🧒 (50:45) “Maximum age to be a president?” 🔞👨‍💼 (52:17) “Founders finding their replacement” 👤🔁👤