“One of the ways these systems might escape control is by writing their own computer code to modify themselves.” – Geoffrey Hinton.

Geoffrey Hinton, renowned as a “Godfather of AI,” has issued a warning that artificial intelligence could potentially surpass human control within the next five years due to rapid advancements in AI technologies. In a recent interview on CBS’ “60 Minutes,” the 75-year-old computer scientist expressed concern about AI systems writing their own code, making them difficult to manage. Hinton, who received the Turing Award in 2018 for his pioneering work in AI and deep learning, left his position at Google (NASDAQ: GOOGL) in May to openly address the risks associated with AI.

Hinton emphasized the limited understanding of how AI evolves and operates, even among those who have contributed to its development. The lack of transparency in AI’s decision-making process, often referred to as the “black box” problem, remains a challenge. (CNBC)

While some AI experts, including Google CEO Sundar Pichai, downplay the concerns about AI overpowering humans, Hinton advocates for increased research, government regulation, and global restrictions on AI-powered military robots. He also highlighted the positive impact of AI in fields like healthcare.

Hinton’s message underscores the urgent need for implementing safeguards against potential AI runaway. Tech and government leaders are at a crucial juncture, facing “enormous uncertainty” regarding the future of AI and the critical decisions required to ensure its responsible development. Hinton’s warning serves as a reminder that proactive measures must be taken swiftly to steer AI’s evolution in a safe and controlled direction.

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