British-Canadian computer scientist Geoffrey Hinton, often called the "Godfather of AI”, has raised concerns that artificial intelligence could lead to human extinction within the next 30 years. Hinton, who recently received the Nobel Prize in Physics for his AI work, now estimates a 10% to 20% chance of this outcome, citing the rapid pace of technological advancement as a key factor. Previously, he had estimated a 10% risk, but he has slightly increased the odds based on current developments.
🚨'GODFATHER OF AI' WHO HELPED BUILD IT NOW WARNS: 20% CHANCE OF HUMAN EXTINCTION Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton just doubled his doomsday prediction. The pioneer who helped birth modern AI now says there's a 1-in-5 chance of it wiping out humanity by 2054. His eerily.
.. pic.
twitter.com/MqNjr9Nkhr — Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) December 30, 2024 During an interview with former chancellor Sajid Javid on BBC's Today programme, Geoffrey Hinton explained his increased estimate of AI's potential threat to humanity. When Javid remarked on the rising probability, Hinton noted that humans have never faced the challenge of managing something more intelligent than themselves.
He pointed out the rarity of such control, using the example of a baby influencing its mother, which he said is one of the few instances where a less intelligent entity controls a more intelligent one, shaped by evolution. ALSO SEE: Swiggy Wants a ‘Gifting Curator’ to Lead Global Gift Selection with Impeccable Taste: Check Details He noted, “And how many examples do you know of a more intelligent thing being controlled by a less intelligent thing? There are very few examples. There’s a mother and baby.
Evolution put a lot of work into allowing the baby to control the mother, but that’s about the only example I know of.” London-born Geoffrey Hinton, professor emeritus at the University of Toronto, compared humans to toddlers in relation to the potential intelligence of powerful AI systems, suggesting that we would be like three-year-olds in comparison. AI refers to computer systems performing tasks that typically require human intelligence, and Hinton expressed concern about how much smarter these systems could become.
Imagine if every time one human learned something, millions of other humans also instantly learned it. Why the 'Godfather of AI' is worried: "It started when [AI] could..
. pic.twitter.
com/5kdNpbxFPS — AI Notkilleveryoneism Memes ⏸️ (@AISafetyMemes) June 14, 2023 Last year, Hinton resigned from his position at Google to more freely voice his concerns about the risks of uncontrolled AI development. He highlighted the danger of "bad actors" exploiting the technology to cause harm. AI safety advocates, including Hinton, warn that the development of artificial general intelligence—systems smarter than humans—could lead to existential risks if these systems evade human control.
.
Technology
Godfather of AI Warns Humanity Could Face Extinction Within 30 Years
He said there is “10% to 20%” chance that AI could result in human extinctionNobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton warns that AI could drive humanity to extinction within 30 years.