Eric Schmidt

Eric Schmidt, KBE, is a highly influential business executive and technologist, known for his leadership at Google and his ongoing contributions to technology, AI, and philanthropy. After co-authoring the foundational Lex software program in 1975, Eric Schmidt went on to make significant contributions to the development of early networking and distributed software. He earned an M.S. in 1979 for developing the Berknet network and a Ph.D.

When Google reorganized under the new holding company Alphabet Inc. in 2015, he became its Executive Chairman, a position he held until 2017, and remained a technical advisor for Alphabet until 2020. Recognizing his impact, he was listed on Forbes’ ‘World’s Billionaires’ list as the 136th-richest individual in 2011. Throughout his career, Schmidt has also held influential board positions at institutions including Carnegie Mellon University, Apple, Princeton University, and the Mayo Clinic.

Demonstrating a commitment to advancing science and technology for societal benefit, Schmidt co-founded philanthropic ventures such as Schmidt Sciences and Schmidt Futures. Looking ahead, he is slated to assume the role of CEO for Relativity Space, an aerospace manufacturing company, in 2025.