SHAREOWNERS’ EQUITY - Schedule of Shareowners' Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018		Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Preferred stock issued	$ 6		$ 6	$ 6
Common stock (8,685,338,000 and 8,680,571,000 shares outstanding at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively)	702		702	702
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax
Beginning balance	73,498
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	988		770
Reclassifications from other comprehensive income	713		1,059
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,702		1,828
Ending balance	73,193		69,740
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Beginning balance	73,498
Gains (losses) on treasury stock dispositions	(45)		224
Net earnings (loss) attributable to the Company	(1,147)		(83)
GE shareowners' equity balance	55,965		68,100	56,030
Noncontrolling interests	17,228	[1]	1,639	17,468	[1]	$ 1,663
Ending balance	73,193		69,740
Adjustments to deferred acquisition costs, present value of future profits, and investment contracts, insurance liabilities and insurance annuity benefits	938		(99)
Currency translation gains (losses) on disposition	0		510
Retained earnings	115,477			117,245
ASU 2014-09 | Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Retained earnings				(8,061)			$ (4,240)
ASU 2015-11
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Retained earnings				(377)			$ (105)
ASU 2016-16
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Retained earnings				$ 464
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax
Beginning balance	(14,404)		(18,588)
Ending balance	(12,862)		(16,766)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Beginning balance	(14,404)		(18,588)
Ending balance	(12,862)		(16,766)
Investment securities - net of deferred taxes
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	109		18
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, deferred taxes	65		13
Reclassifications from other comprehensive income	(10)		(69)
Reclassifications from other comprehensive income, deferred taxes	(2)		(36)
Currency translation - net of deferred taxes
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	832		258
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, deferred taxes	(149)		(33)
Reclassifications from other comprehensive income	(2)		554
Reclassifications from other comprehensive income, deferred taxes	0		(540)
Cash flow hedges - net of deferred taxes
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	105		20
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, deferred taxes	31		5
Reclassifications from other comprehensive income	(50)		0
Reclassifications from other comprehensive income, deferred taxes	(15)		1
Benefit plans - net of deferred taxes
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(58)		474
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, deferred taxes	(1)		101
Reclassifications from other comprehensive income	775		574
Reclassifications from other comprehensive income, deferred taxes	218		288
AOCI attributable to noncontrolling interests
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax
Beginning balance	(226)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	160		6
Ending balance	(66)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Beginning balance	(226)
Ending balance	(66)
AOCI attributable to parent
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,542		1,822
Other capital
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax
Beginning balance	37,384		37,224
Ending balance	37,339		37,448
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Beginning balance	37,384		37,224
Ending balance	37,339		37,448
Retained earnings
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax
Beginning balance	117,245		133,856
Ending balance	115,477		131,544
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Beginning balance	117,245		133,856
Net earnings (loss) attributable to the Company	(1,147)		(83)
Dividends and other transactions with shareowners	(1,078)		(2,128)
Redemption value adjustment for redeemable noncontrolling interests	(44)		(101)
Other changes	500		0
Ending balance	115,477		131,544
Common stock held in treasury
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax
Beginning balance	(84,902)		(83,038)
Ending balance	(84,697)		(84,833)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Beginning balance	(84,902)		(83,038)
Purchases	(85)		(2,359)
Dispositions	290		564
Ending balance	$ (84,697)		$ (84,833)

[1] Included AOCI attributable to noncontrolling interests of $(66) million and $(226) million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.