What Happened to Eric Emerson Schmidt?
Eric Schmidt, former CEO and Executive Chairman of Google and Alphabet, has transitioned from leading one of the world's largest tech companies to focusing on advanced technology, national security, and philanthropy. As of 2025, he serves as CEO of aerospace manufacturing company Relativity Space, while continuing to be a prominent voice and investor in artificial intelligence through initiatives like Schmidt Futures and Schmidt Sciences.
Quick Answer
Eric Schmidt is currently the CEO of Relativity Space, an aerospace manufacturing company, a role he took on in March 2025. He remains a highly influential figure in the technology and policy spheres, particularly concerning artificial intelligence, where he actively invests, advises, and warns about its societal impact. Through Schmidt Futures and Schmidt Sciences, he and his wife Wendy Schmidt also lead significant philanthropic efforts focused on scientific breakthroughs and global challenges.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Co-authored Lex at Bell Labs
As an intern at Bell Labs, Schmidt co-authored Lex, a software program for generating lexical analyzers for the Unix operating system.
Joined Sun Microsystems
Schmidt joined Sun Microsystems as its first software manager, eventually rising to various leadership positions including president of Sun Technology Enterprises.
Became CEO of Novell
He left Sun Microsystems to become the Chairman and CEO of Novell, Inc., a position he held until 2001.
Appointed CEO of Google
Schmidt was hired by Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin as CEO, overseeing the company's rapid growth and strategic direction.
Oversaw Google's IPO
Under his leadership, Google successfully completed its initial public offering of stock, a major milestone for the company.
Stepped down as Google CEO, became Executive Chairman
Larry Page took over as CEO, and Schmidt transitioned to the role of Executive Chairman of Google, focusing on deals and partnerships.
Founded Schmidt Futures
Schmidt co-founded Schmidt Futures with his wife Wendy Schmidt, a philanthropic initiative focused on applying science and technology to societal challenges.
Chaired U.S. National Security Commission on AI
He became the first chair of the U.S. National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI), influencing national policy on AI.
Left post as technical advisor at Alphabet
After 19 years with the company, Schmidt officially left his role as technical advisor to Alphabet, concluding his direct operational involvement.
Founded Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP)
He founded the SCSP, a non-profit initiative dedicated to strengthening America's long-term technological competitiveness, particularly in AI.
Co-founded Schmidt Sciences
Eric and Wendy Schmidt founded Schmidt Sciences, a philanthropic organization dedicated to funding unconventional research in science and technology, spun off from Schmidt Futures.
Became CEO of Relativity Space
Schmidt took over as CEO of Relativity Space, an aerospace manufacturing company, after acquiring a controlling stake, marking a significant return to an executive operational role.
Signed 'We Must Act Now' AI Statement
Schmidt joined over 200 economists, researchers, and tech leaders in a public statement warning that AI could bring 'large-scale job displacement' and calling for guardrails.
Latest Investment in Stability AI
His family office made its most recent investment in Stability AI during its Series B funding round.
Schmidt Sciences invests $20M in new 'Schmidt Polymaths'
Schmidt Sciences announced an investment of up to $20 million in eight new 'Schmidt Polymaths,' supporting scientists tackling complex, interdisciplinary questions in areas like AI, biosciences, and climate.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Eric Emerson Schmidt, born April 27, 1955, is an American businessman and former computer engineer renowned for his pivotal role in Google's rise to global prominence. After an early career at Bell Labs, Sun Microsystems, and as CEO of Novell, Schmidt joined Google in 2001 as CEO. During his decade-long tenure until 2011, he oversaw the company's dramatic scaling, diversification of product offerings, and its initial public offering (IPO) in 2004, transforming it from a startup into a technology titan. He is widely credited with introducing conventional business structures to the company, working alongside founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin as part of a 'triumvirate' that guided Google's strategic direction.
Following his time as CEO, Schmidt served as Executive Chairman of Google from 2011 to 2015, and then as Executive Chairman of its parent company, Alphabet Inc., from 2015 to 2017. He remained a technical advisor at Alphabet until February 2020, marking the end of his nearly two-decade-long direct involvement with the company. During this period, he also founded the philanthropic venture Schmidt Futures in 2017, aiming to bet early on exceptional people and apply science and technology to make the world better.
In recent years, Schmidt has become a leading advocate and analyst in the field of artificial intelligence, particularly concerning its implications for national security and society. He chaired the U.S. National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI) from 2018 to 2021 and founded the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP) in October 2021, a non-profit focused on strengthening America's long-term AI and technological competitiveness. Schmidt has frequently voiced strong opinions on AI's rapid advancement, warning in January 2026 that AI systems are already performing 10-20% of programming work and predicting Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) could arrive by 2029. In July 2026, he joined over 200 experts in signing a statement, "We Must Act Now," cautioning about large-scale job displacement due to AI and calling for guardrails.
A significant development in Schmidt's career occurred in March 2025, when he took over as CEO of Relativity Space, an aerospace manufacturing company, after acquiring a controlling stake. This move signals a deep dive into the burgeoning commercial space sector. In June 2026, NASA selected Relativity Space for a 2028 Mars mission, aiming to build and fly the Aeolus orbiter, an audacious bet on the company's unproven launcher and a potential milestone for private missions to Mars.
Beyond his executive roles, Schmidt continues to be an active investor and philanthropist. His family office, Hillspire, founded in 2006, is a top-ranked family office as of 2026, having invested in over 22 AI firms since 2019. In 2024, Eric and Wendy Schmidt established Schmidt Sciences, a spin-off of Schmidt Futures, dedicated to funding unconventional research in science and technology. In September 2026, Schmidt Sciences announced a $20 million investment in eight new "Schmidt Polymaths" to tackle complex, interdisciplinary scientific questions, including leveraging AI for understanding human cognition and developing climate-resilient food crops. His estimated net worth as of 2026 is US$64.3 billion.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Eric Emerson Schmidt made different choices?