‘Godfather of A.I.’ Reverses Course, Quits Google to Preach About “Dangers” of Artificial Intelligence

Geoffrey Hinton, a Turing prize-winning artificial intelligence (AI) expert known as the "Godfather of AI," has expressed concern about the dangers of AI development. He warned that AI could one day replace humans in the workforce and spread misinformation. Hinton has been credited with developing the AI technology used by leading tech companies. However, he now regrets his contribution to AI and fears that it could harm society. He has also stated that Google has acted responsibly with AI development, and he left the company to talk about the dangers of AI without considering Google's interests.

Hinton initially believed that we were decades away from a critical point in AI development. Still, he now thinks that we are closer to that point than he previously thought. His primary concern is that AI could flood the internet with false information, making it difficult for people to distinguish what is true and what is false. He stated that Google had been a proper steward of AI until last year when Microsoft released an AI chatbot that challenged Google's core business. This development prompted Google to rush the deployment of similar AI technology, leading to a competition between tech giants that could be difficult to stop.

The dangers of AI are already manifesting themselves in many ways. In February, a popular Twitch streamer was caught with an open tab of a deepfake pornographic image of a female gamer. This incident led to the female gamer experiencing body dysmorphia and other psychological distress. This example illustrates how AI technology can be used to harm people and how it can have serious consequences.

Tech moguls have also expressed concern about AI development, with several signing an open petition calling for the temporary suspension of AI development until its effects can be positive and its risks manageable. Among the signatories were Elon Musk, Steve Wozniak, and the CEO of Stability AI, along with thousands of other tech leaders.

Hinton's concerns about the dangers of AI development are well-founded, and it is essential that AI technology is developed responsibly. The consequences of irresponsible AI development could be severe and long-lasting, and the potential for harm is already becoming evident. It is crucial that the tech industry takes these concerns seriously and works to develop AI in a way that is beneficial to society and mitigates its potential risks.