The Godfather of AI says most tech leaders downplay the risks — except one

Geoffrey Hinton, often referred to as the 'Godfather of AI' due to his groundbreaking work on neural networks, has recently criticized the tech industry for its lack of responsiveness to the potential dangers associated with artificial intelligence. In a candid discussion on the 'One Decision' podcast, which aired on July 24, Hinton expressed that while many in the tech sector are aware of these risks, they often choose to downplay them publicly. Highlighting a notable exception, Hinton praised Demis Hassabis, the CEO of Google DeepMind, for his understanding of the implications of AI technology. Hinton noted, "Demis Hassabis really does understand about the risks, and really wants to do something about it." Hassabis co-founded DeepMind in 2010, which was acquired by Google in 2014, along with a commitment to establish an AI ethics board. As a Nobel Prize winner, Hassabis has long envisioned that AI development should be led by academics and scientists. Now, at the forefront of Google’s push for AI supremacy, he is reportedly considered a potential candidate for the company's CEO position. Earlier this year, he voiced concerns about the long-term risks of AI, warning that autonomous systems might spiral out of control. Furthermore, he advocates for the establishment of an international regulatory body to oversee AI advancements. The urgency of these discussions was underscored by protests outside DeepMind's London office last month, where demonstrators called for greater transparency in AI practices. Hinton, who left Google after over a decade to speak out about AI safety, revealed that the company had encouraged him to remain and focus on safety protocols. His comments about other tech leaders were less than flattering. Hinton referred to figures like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg as 'oligarchs,' indicating a significant distrust toward their influence in the AI landscape. When asked if he trusts them, his response was clear: "I think when I called them oligarchs, you know the answer to that."