Leading authority on artificial intelligence (AI), Geoffrey Hinton, feels that AI will eventually surpass human intelligence and advocates for cautious development and control. One of the “godfathers” of AI, along with Yann LeCun and Yoshua Bengio, is Hinton. Hinton stated that the majority of AI professionals agreed with him in a BBC interview.
“Very few experts doubt it,” Hinton said. “They believe AI will exceed human intelligence, it’s just a matter of when.”
While some, like Meta’s LeCun, are optimistic about superintelligence, Hinton worries about potential risks. He left Google in 2023 and has since expressed regret about his life’s work, citing existential threats posed by AI.
“Given the range of opinions,” Hinton said, “it’s wise to be cautious about developing and regulating AI.” He fears AI could become uncontrollable and even autonomous in military applications, like target selection for airstrikes.
Hinton has expressed worries about AI automation leading to a loss of jobs. Productivity would rise, but wealth would probably accumulate at the top.
Hinton’s cautions are not unique. Prominent AI research firm OpenAI has come under fire for its erratic dedication to the moral advancement of superintelligence.
Even if Hinton comes across as unduly negative, his worries are valid given the technology’s enormous potential and, as he contends, its lack of safety measures.