Former Google CEO urges UK to expand high-skilled immigration for AI sector

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt has called on the UK government to expand its high-skilled immigration policies to help the country stay competitive in the fast-evolving field of artificial intelligence (AI).

Addressing an investment summit in the UK, Schmidt emphasized the importance of a pro-growth approach that would attract top talent from around the world while ensuring that recent AI graduates are encouraged to stay in Britain.

“High-skilled immigration is already in place here and should be expanded,” Schmidt stated, noting that many international students are earning advanced degrees in AI and could contribute significantly to the UK’s technological advancement.

“These incredibly smart people are key to developing the technology, which is hard, complicated, and evolving quickly,” he added, stressing that the field's complexities demand top-tier talent to push the UK forward.

Schmidt, who holds a PhD in computer science and has been a prominent figure in tech for decades, acknowledged that even he finds AI’s technical challenges daunting. “Sometimes it doesn’t make sense to me, and I have a PhD in the area,” he admitted, underscoring the need for specialized skills in AI.

Despite these challenges, Schmidt expressed optimism about Britain’s potential to lead in AI, provided that the right policies and leadership are in place. He noted that many in the tech community are eager to live in the UK, and with targeted efforts, the country could establish itself as a global center for AI innovation and expertise.