Geoffrey Hinton says humanity might have been better off never developing AI
The Nobel laureate told the Guardian AI could trigger a large-scale incident this year or next, such as a temporary blackout of financial or power systems, and that he does not trust Sam Altman.
Why it matters
Hinton, whose neural-network research underpins modern AI, has warned about the technology since leaving Google, but this is one of his starkest framings: he says it is not a doomer view yet questions whether building AI was worth it. He gives a timeline, saying humanity will know within a decade and possibly sooner whether it can manage the risks or faces mass unemployment and social breakdown. He spoke before a screening of the documentary AI: Probably Nothing to Worry About, which also features Demis Hassabis. Watch whether his warning of a near-term systemic incident is taken up by regulators.
Key facts
- Hinton is 78 and a Nobel laureate
- Warns of a large-scale incident this year or next
- Says humanity will know within a decade whether it can manage the risks
- Says he does not trust Sam Altman
- Spoke before a screening of AI: Probably Nothing to Worry About