Renowned as the “Godfather of AI,” British-Canadian computer scientist Geoffrey Hinton has issued a stark warning about the potential dangers of artificial intelligence (AI). He has cautioned that within the next 30 years, AI technology could push humanity toward extinction. Hinton compared humanity to a three-year-old child when juxtaposed against the immense capabilities of advanced AI systems.
According to the Nobel Laureate, there is a 10 to 20 percent probability that AI could lead to human extinction within three decades. This projection has increased from his previous estimate last year, highlighting the unprecedented rise of AI capabilities. Speaking on BBC Radio 4, Hinton clarified that while his perspective has not fundamentally changed, he now sees greater risks. When asked whether challenges posed by AI have intensified, he remarked, “If something happens, you see, we’ve never before faced an entity more intelligent than humans.”
Hinton further explained, “And how many examples do you know where less intelligent entities control more intelligent ones? There are very few. A mother and a child come to mind. Evolution has worked hard to allow the mother to control the child. That’s the only example I know.”
Currently serving as an Emeritus Professor at the University of Toronto, the computer scientist compared humans to toddlers when assessing the growing intelligence of advanced AI systems. “I like to think of it this way: imagine yourself and a three-year-old child. We are going to be the three-year-old,” he said.
In 2023, Hinton publicly voiced concerns about the risks associated with the unregulated development of AI by tech giant Google, leading to his resignation from the company. At the time, he warned that those with malicious intent could misuse AI to inflict harm.
Reflecting on the rapid advancements in AI, Hinton admitted, “I didn’t think we’d be where we are now. I thought we’d reach this point sometime in the future.”
He expressed alarm that AI systems might surpass human intelligence within the next 20 years, as predicted by industry experts, calling this an “incredibly terrifying thought.” Hinton stressed the urgent need for governments worldwide to take regulatory measures to control the accelerated development of AI.
Earlier this year, Geoffrey Hinton was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his foundational discoveries in artificial neural networks and machine learning, alongside John Hopfield. On October 8, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the award, recognizing their groundbreaking contributions to the field.
