‘Godfather of AI’ Warns of 10-20% Chance Technology Could Wipe Out Humanity.
Geoffrey Hinton, Nobel Prize winner, estimates a significant risk of AI-driven human extinction within 30 years.
Geoffrey Hinton, the British-Canadian computer scientist often referred to as the “godfather of artificial intelligence (AI),” has issued a stark warning about the potential dangers of AI, suggesting there is a 10% to 20% chance that the technology could lead to human extinction within the next 30 years.
Prof. Hinton, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics earlier this year for his contributions to AI, described the growing existential risk during an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
“Never Dealt with Something Smarter Than Ourselves”
When asked if his views on AI’s potential to cause human extinction had changed, Hinton replied, “Not really, 10% to 20%.”
He noted that the likelihood had slightly increased, explaining, “We’ve never had to deal with things more intelligent than ourselves before.”
Hinton compared the situation to the relationship between a mother and child. “There are very few examples of a less intelligent thing controlling a more intelligent thing. A baby controlling its mother is one of the rare cases evolution made possible,” he said.
“Humans Are Toddlers Compared to AI”
Hinton likened humanity to toddlers in the presence of advanced AI.
“Imagine yourself and a three-year-old. We’ll be the three-year-olds,” he remarked.
His warnings about AI’s dangers first became public when he resigned from Google in 2023 to speak openly about the risks of unregulated AI development. At the time, he cautioned that “bad actors” could exploit AI, posing significant threats.
Reflecting on AI’s rapid advancement, Hinton admitted, “I didn’t think we’d be where we are now. I thought this would happen further into the future.”
He highlighted that many experts now predict AI could surpass human intelligence within the next 20 years, calling the prospect “a very scary thought.”
Hinton emphasized the urgent need for government regulation to prevent AI from evolving unchecked.
“The pace of development is much faster than I anticipated. The only way to ensure AI’s safe development is through government intervention. Profit-driven companies alone cannot be trusted to prioritize safety,” he warned.
