Renowned computer scientist Geoffrey Hinton, often called the "godfather of artificial intelligence," has issued a stark warning about the potential dangers of AI, suggesting it could lead to humanity's extinction within the next 30 years.
Hinton, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics earlier this year for his groundbreaking work in AI, estimates there is a “10% to 20%” chance that advanced AI systems could wipe out humanity.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today program, Hinton revealed that his concerns about AI have deepened, revising his earlier prediction of a 10% likelihood of extinction to a 10-20% range. He attributed this increase to the unprecedented challenge of managing entities more intelligent than humans.
“We’ve never had to deal with anything smarter than ourselves before,” Hinton said, drawing comparisons to the dynamic between a mother and baby as one of the few examples of a less intelligent entity influencing a more intelligent one. “Humans will be like toddlers compared to advanced AI systems,” he added, highlighting the vast gap in intelligence that could emerge.
Hinton, who resigned from his position at Google in 2023 to speak openly about AI's potential dangers, has been vocal about the need for government oversight. He expressed concern that profit-driven corporations alone cannot ensure the safe development of AI and emphasized the urgency of regulatory intervention.
“The pace of AI development is much faster than I anticipated,” Hinton noted. “The only way to push big companies toward prioritizing safety is through government regulation.”
Experts in the field now predict that AI systems could surpass human intelligence within the next two decades, a prospect Hinton described as “a very scary thought.” Reflecting on the pace of AI's advancement, he admitted, “I didn’t think we’d be where we are now this quickly.”
Hinton also warned about the potential misuse of AI by malicious actors, further underscoring the risks associated with unregulated development.