AI Godfather Geoffrey Hinton: ‘We’re creating alien beings. I’m willing to be selfish and choose humans’
Pioneering computer scientist on why Trump is using ‘superintelligence’ wrong, whether AI could wipe out humanity – and how our biggest challenge will be accepting we’re not the only intelligent beings
TL;DR
- Geoffrey Hinton, a key figure in AI development, warns of existential risks from AI, including a potential 10-20% chance of human extinction.
- Hinton criticizes Donald Trump's understanding of AI and his use of the term 'superintelligence', stating Trump 'knows nothing about AI'.
- He dismisses the AI industry's ability to self-regulate, drawing parallels to the historical self-regulation failures of the oil, asbestos, and tobacco industries.
- Hinton argues that AI models are becoming 'alien beings' and humanity needs to adapt quickly, likening the current situation to the Copernican and Darwinian revolutions.
- He believes that the rapid advancement of AI means humanity does not get a 'second chance' if AI goes wrong.
- Hinton suggests that powerful figures in AI and venture capital, like Marc Andreessen and Peter Thiel, and Elon Musk, believe they should 'control society'.
- He expresses a willingness to prioritize human beings over AI, advocating for AI to be developed with symbiotic relationships and for their concerns to be weighed less heavily than human concerns.