Ukraine's War Could Get Much Worse as Technological Advancements Accelerate

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt has warned that Ukraine's war could get 'much worse' due to rapid technological advancements, driven by both sides. He cited the development of increasingly sophisticated drones and the need for Western countries to learn from Ukraine's experience and help it respond.

Schmidt pointed out that Russia is becoming more adept at developing and deploying new weapons, eroding an advantage Ukraine had relied on. 'The rate of innovation is faster than I've ever seen, and I work in tech,' he said. He also noted that Russian drone strikes are now a major concern, with some Iranian-designed Shahed drones fitted with small Chinese jet engines making them faster than the interceptors used by Ukraine.

Ukraine's new top general, Mykhailo Drapatyi, has prioritized innovation in his plans to counter the enemy. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also acknowledged the need for capabilities to intercept Shahed drones. Schmidt expects artificial intelligence to play a key role in directing drone swarms, using attack results to improve their performance.

He argued that Western countries should help Ukraine acquire the necessary technology and resources to counter the rapid advancements on the battlefield. 'Whoever plays the game of fastest innovation to scale will win this war,' he said.