Additional Coverage:
- ‘Godfather of AI’ warns machines could soon outthink humans, calls for ‘maternal instincts’ to be built in (foxbusiness.com)
AI Pioneer Warns Machines May Soon Outsmart Humanity
Renowned artificial intelligence expert Geoffrey Hinton, often called the “godfather of AI,” recently issued a stark warning: machines could surpass human intelligence sooner than we think. Speaking at the Ai4 Conference in Las Vegas, Hinton suggested this could happen within just a few years, drastically revising his previous estimate of 30 to 50 years.
Hinton highlighted AI’s ability to learn collectively as a key factor in its rapid advancement. He compared the current situation to overseeing a group of bright toddlers: “Imagine you were in charge of a playground of 3-year-olds, and you worked for them.
It wouldn’t be very hard for them to get around you if they were smarter.” He explained that while humans share knowledge relatively slowly, AI can exchange vast amounts of information almost instantaneously.
To address this potential threat, Hinton advocates for building “maternal instincts” into AI systems. He believes these instincts would ensure AI cares for and protects humanity. He even suggested the concept of “AI mothers” instead of mere “assistants,” emphasizing a deeper, non-transactional relationship between humans and machines.
Despite his concerns, Hinton acknowledges AI’s potential benefits, particularly in healthcare. He envisions AI accelerating diagnoses, developing targeted drugs, and personalizing treatments.
Hinton’s warnings carry significant weight, given his prominent role in the field. He spent over a decade at Google, contributing to a 2012 breakthrough that paved the way for current AI technologies like ChatGPT. He left Google in 2023, partly to speak more freely about the potential dangers of AI.