An original version of this article appeared in CNBC's Inside Wealth newsletter, written by Robert Frank, which serves as a weekly resource for high-net-worth investors and consumers. To receive future editions directly in your inbox, you can subscribe. Eric Schmidt, the billionaire former CEO of Google, has earned the nickname "the AI whisperer" due to his extensive predictions and warnings about artificial intelligence. Behind the scenes, Schmidt's family office is actively investing in numerous private AI startups. Known as Hillspire, Schmidt's family office has invested in 22 private AI companies since 2019, according to exclusive data from Fintrx, a platform specializing in private wealth intelligence provided to CNBC. Over the past year, Hillspire made 13 investments in AI startups, accounting for more than 75% of Schmidt's total startup investments. While the exact dollar amounts of these investments remain undisclosed, making it difficult to determine his precise contributions to each company, some investments were follow-on rounds for firms he had previously backed. Still, the combined funding rounds for the 22 companies Schmidt has supported since 2019 exceed $5 billion, based on Fintrx data. His portfolio includes prominent AI startups such as Anthropic, Holistic AI, and SandboxAQ, alongside smaller firms like Swiss startup Optiml, as well as Altera and Inworld AI.

Schmidt has become a leading advocate for artificial intelligence, co-authoring the notable book "The Age of AI" with Henry Kissinger and Daniel Huttenlocher. He is also a vocal commentator on the potential risks of AI. In a late 2022 ABC News interview, Schmidt warned that when computers can learn and master everything, "that's a dangerous point. When the system can self-improve, we need to contemplate unplugging it. " Recently, Forbes reported that Hillspire is also investing in Hooglee, an AI startup focused on video and social media, with its website stating a mission "to transform the way people connect through the power of AI and video. " Although Schmidt has been a prominent figure in technology, he is not the only family office interested in AI. A UBS survey shows that artificial intelligence has become the top investment theme among family offices. Over 75%, specifically 78%, of family offices surveyed plan to invest in AI within the next two to three years, the highest share for any investment category, according to the UBS Global Family Office Report. Below is the list of Hillspire's AI startup investments: John Lamparski | Getty Images