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In a candid interview with CBS News that aired on Saturday, Geoffrey Hinton, a highly regarded scientist often dubbed the "godfather of AI," expressed relief at being 77 years old. His sentiments stem from a profound concern about the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) and the potentially perilous consequences it may pose. Hinton indicated that he might not live long enough to witness the full ramifications of this technology as it advances at an alarming pace.

During the interview, Hinton highlighted his serious apprehensions regarding AI's acceleration, suggesting that humanity may soon face a reality where machines surpass human intelligence. Things more intelligent than you are going to be able to manipulate you, he cautioned. His insights are particularly noteworthy given his recent recognition as the winner of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics for his groundbreaking contributions to machine learning, a field that is at the core of AI development.

Hinton drew a vivid analogy to illustrate his concerns about AI's potential dangers. He likened humanitys relationship with AI to raising a tiger. Its just such a cute tiger cub, he remarked, stressing that unless we can be absolutely certain that these AI systems won't pose a threat as they mature, we have plenty to worry about. This metaphor succinctly captures the dual nature of technological progresswhile it can seem adorable and beneficial at first, it may grow into something far more dangerous if not managed carefully.

Moreover, Hinton assessed the likelihood of AI systems gaining control, estimating a sort of 10 to 20% chance that this might eventually occur. He acknowledged that predicting the exact trajectory of AI development is fraught with uncertainty, yet his concerns remain grave.

A significant factor contributing to his anxiety is the emergence of autonomous AI agents. Unlike previous systems that merely responded to queries, these new agents can execute tasks independently. Things have got, if anything, scarier than they were before, Hinton noted, emphasizing the need for caution as these technologies evolve.

Furthermore, Hinton expressed that the timeline for achieving superintelligent AI may be closer than many experts anticipated. Just a year ago, he believed it would take five to 20 years for AI to surpass human intelligence across all domains. However, he has since revised his assessment, stating, theres a good chance itll be here in 10 years or less. This alarming prediction suggests that society must brace itself for a future where AI could significantly influence various aspects of life.

Additionally, Hinton addressed the role of global competition among technology firms and nations, asserting that this competitive landscape makes it very, very unlikely that humanity can avoid developing superintelligent AI. He remarked, Theyre all after the next shiny thing, underscoring the relentless pursuit for advancement. The underlying challenge, he posited, is whether we can design AI systems in a manner that ensures they do not seek to take control from their human creators.

Reflecting on the state of the tech industry, Hinton expressed disappointment towards companies he once looked up to, particularly Google, where he spent over a decade working. He was notably critical of the company's reversal of its previous stance against military applications of AI technology. I wouldnt be happy working for any of them today, he lamented, revealing a fracture in his relationship with the industry he helped to shape.

In 2023, Hinton made the pivotal decision to resign from Google, allowing him the freedom to speak candidly about the possible dangers associated with the unchecked development of AI. He currently serves as a professor emeritus at the University of Toronto, where he continues to engage with the academic community on these pressing issues.

As of now, neither Hinton nor Google has provided a comment on his recent remarks in response to Business Insider's inquiry.