Renowned British-Canadian computer scientist Professor Geoffrey Hinton, often referred to as a "godfather" of artificial intelligence, has raised alarm about the escalating risks posed by AI technology. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Hinton estimated a 10% to 20% chance of AI leading to human extinction within the next three decades—a sharp increase from his previous estimate of 10%.
Hinton, who received the Nobel Prize in Physics this year for his groundbreaking work in AI, acknowledged the rapid pace of AI development, stating, “It’s much faster than I expected.” He expressed deep concern about humanity’s ability to control entities that are more intelligent than humans, drawing a stark comparison: “Imagine yourself and a three-year-old. We’ll be the three-year-olds.”
Hinton’s concerns center around the potential creation of artificial general intelligence (AGI)—systems that surpass human intelligence and could evade human control. Such developments, he warned, could lead to catastrophic outcomes if left unchecked.
Reflecting on the progress of AI, Hinton admitted, “I didn’t think it would be where we are now. Most experts believe that within the next 20 years, we’re likely to develop AIs smarter than people. That’s a very scary thought.”
Hinton also cautioned against relying solely on market forces to guide AI development, stating, “The invisible hand is not going to keep us safe.” He called for urgent government regulation to ensure safety protocols are prioritized over profit motives.
Hinton’s warnings have reignited debates among AI experts and policymakers. He has previously voiced fears about “bad actors” using AI for harmful purposes and resigned from his position at Google last year to speak more freely about the technology's risks.
Despite Hinton’s grave outlook, not all experts share his concerns. Yann LeCun, a fellow AI pioneer and chief AI scientist at Meta, has downplayed the existential threat of AI, arguing that the technology “could actually save humanity from extinction.”
As AI continues to evolve at breakneck speed, Hinton emphasizes the need for immediate action to regulate its development. “The only thing that can force big companies to do more research on safety is government regulation,” he said.
Hinton’s warnings serve as a stark reminder of the ethical and existential challenges posed by AI, underscoring the critical need for global collaboration to ensure its safe and beneficial use.
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