Eric Schmidt, KBE, Executive Chairman and CEO of Relativity Space, is best known for his pivotal role in the growth of Google and is now among the most prominent voices on technology, AI, business, and philanthropy. As Chairman and CEO, he oversaw Google’s transformation from a small startup to one of the world’s most influential companies from 2001 to 2011. Under his leadership, alongside Sergey Brin and Larry Page, the company dramatically scaled its infrastructure and diversified its products, while maintaining a strong culture of innovation. Prior to joining Google, he held leadership positions at Novell and Sun Microsystems.

Eric has received numerous accolades and supports a variety of esteemed organizations. He was a member of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology and served as the founding Chairman of the Department of Defense’s Innovation Board for four years, during which time he was awarded the Medal for Distinguished Public Service by Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter. He was also a member of NASA’s National Space Council User Advisory Group for two years which was chaired by the Vice President and previously served as the Chairman of the US National Security Commission for Artificial Intelligence for three years. In 2021, he launched, and currently Chairs, the Special Competitive Studies Project, an initiative that makes recommendations to strengthen America’s long-term global competitiveness for a future where artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies reshape our national security, economy, and society. He also serves as a commissioner on the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB), is Chair of the Board of Trustees for The Broad Institute, as well as a member of the board of The Mayo Clinic, and the Advisory Board at UC Berkeley. Notably, in 2024, Eric was awarded an honorary Knight of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by His Majesty King Charles III for services to Philanthropy.

An accomplished author, Eric has co-authored four New York Times bestsellers, including The New Digital Age, How Google Works, and Trillion Dollar Coach. In 2021, Eric co-authored the Wall Street Journal bestselling book The Age of AI: And Our Human Future with Dr. Henry Kissinger and Professor Daniel Huttenlocher. His most recent book New York Times bestseller, Genesis: Artificial Intelligence, Hope, and the Human Spirit (2024), was co-written with the late Dr. Henry Kissinger, and Craig Mundie.

Inspired to continue their legacy of giving back, Eric and his wife Wendy have founded several philanthropic organizations, including the Schmidt Family Foundation, Schmidt Ocean Institute, and Schmidt Futures. Most recently in 2024, they founded Schmidt Sciences, a nonprofit organization working to advance science and technology that deepens human understanding of the natural world and develops solutions to global issues.

Eric holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Princeton University as well as a master’s degree and Ph.D. in computer science from the University of California, Berkeley.