Eric Schmidt is an American businessman and software engineer best known for his role as the CEO of Google from 2001 to 2011. Under his leadership, the company expanded significantly, introducing products like Gmail and Google Maps. He played a crucial role in shaping the company's vision and strategy during its early growth phase. After stepping down as CEO, Schmidt continued to serve as the Executive Chairman of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company, until 2017. He has also been involved in various philanthropic efforts and has authored books on technology and innovation, sharing insights on the future of artificial intelligence and its impact on society.