Howard Schultz said he's Worried - 'with a big W' - about AI

""If we look back on the last 10, 15 years on social media, I think we'd be hard pressed to say that the velocity and the impact and the adverse effect of social media is equal to, or more than, the benefits that have occurred," he said. "And one of the reasons is the fact that there wasn't regulation, and the regulation that has come is too late." He said AI is progressing so fast and "the regulators are so far behind, they don't even know what the questions are because of the speed of this thing.""

""I worry, with a big W, about the impact this could have, that could be adverse," he said to Roth. He then urged the leaders of Big Tech companies, like Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Satya Nadella, Reid Hoffman, and Bill Gates, to "come together and understand collectively" that they have a moral responsibility that should not be forgotten in the pursuit of winning."

Howard Schultz expresses deep concern that AI is advancing at such speed that regulators cannot keep pace, risking adverse effects similar to those seen with social media. Schultz supports AI adoption but warns that the benefits could be outweighed by harms if governance remains delayed. Schultz calls for collective action from major technology leaders to recognize and act on their moral responsibility rather than prioritizing competitive advantage. Schultz's background includes leading Starbucks through multiple tenures and now running a philanthropic foundation, highlighting his continued engagement with societal and technological issues.

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