Renowned Computer Scientist, Dubbed "Godfather of AI," Leaves Google to Sound Alarm on Tech Risks
Geoffrey Hinton, a prominent figure in the field of artificial intelligence, has resigned from his position at Google to raise concerns about the dangers associated with the technology, according to reports from US media. Hinton, who is widely regarded as a pioneer in AI and has contributed significantly to its foundation, expressed his belief that recent advancements in the field pose profound risks to society and humanity.
In an interview with The New York Times, Hinton emphasized the rapid progress made in AI over the past few years, describing it as both impressive and alarming. He cautioned that the speed at which tech giants are pushing out new AI technologies, driven by intense competition, could have detrimental effects, including job displacement and the dissemination of misinformation.
Hinton particularly highlighted the exponential growth of data-driven systems, such as those employed by Google and OpenAI, which he believes have surpassed certain aspects of human intelligence due to their ability to analyze vast amounts of information. He suggested that these systems might even outperform human cognition in certain domains.
However, Hinton raised concerns about the potential consequences of such advancements. While AI has the potential to alleviate mundane tasks, the proliferation of chatbots like ChatGPT could lead to job losses and, more worryingly, the creation and spread of misinformation. He expressed apprehension that the average person may struggle to discern truth from falsehood in a world increasingly shaped by AI-generated content.
Hinton officially resigned from Google last month, alerting the company to his decision. In response, Jeff Dean, the lead scientist for Google AI, expressed gratitude to Hinton for his contributions and emphasized the company's commitment to responsible AI development. Google aims to strike a balance between innovation and addressing emerging risks associated with the technology.
The concerns raised by Hinton align with the calls for caution and safety in AI development made by tech billionaire Elon Musk and other experts. In an open letter signed by over 1,000 individuals, including Musk and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, the release of GPT-4, an advanced version of the technology used in ChatGPT, prompted a request for a pause in AI system development to ensure its responsible and controlled implementation.
While Hinton did not sign the letter initially, he emphasized the need for thorough understanding and control of AI before scaling it further. His departure from Google signifies his commitment to raising awareness about the risks associated with unchecked AI advancements.