Unlikely heroes often emerge from unexpected corners. In the realm of artificial intelligence (AI), one such unexpected champion is Steve Schwarzman, the 77-year-old CEO of private equity giant Blackstone. With a net worth estimated at $37.7 billion, he may seem an incongruous figure leading the charge in AI education and research. However, his dedication reveals a deeper story.
This unlikely journey began in 2015 during a chance encounter on a bus in Beijing. Seated next to Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma, Schwarzman was introduced to the transformative potential of AI. Ma's passionate discussion about AI's future impact on drug development, education, and various industries sparked a curiosity that would blossom into a full-fledged mission.
Fast forward nine years, and Schwarzman stands as one of the biggest individual funders of AI education and research, pledging over half a billion dollars to the cause. His contributions have established the Schwarzman College of Computing at MIT and funded the AI Ethics Institute within the Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities at Oxford University.
Schwarzman's commitment extends beyond financial contributions. He actively advocates for AI advancement, playing a crucial role in the passing of the Chips and Science Act of 2022, securing significant funding for AI and quantum computing research.
Schwarzman's transition from Wall Street powerhouse, accustomed to secretaries and email, to passionate AI advocate might surprise many. Professor Nigel Shadbolt of Oxford, who helped design the AI ethics institute, acknowledges this unusual pairing, highlighting the importance of Schwarzman's involvement despite the unexpected source.
Schwarzman's enthusiasm for AI hasn't stayed solely in the realm of philanthropy. He has actively pushed Blackstone, the firm he co-founded, to embrace AI technology. From hiring their first data scientist in 2015 to employing 50 across various business lines, the firm leverages AI for informed investment decisions, analyzing trends and predicting future demands.
Schwarzman's journey highlights the power of individual initiative and the potential for transformative change, even from unexpected sources. His commitment to AI, a technology with the potential to shape the future, goes beyond simply building his legacy: it reflects a genuine desire to contribute to and advance society as a whole.
