Geoffrey Hinton, a British-Canadian computer scientist known as the "godfather" of AI, has voiced concerns about the potential for artificial intelligence to lead to human extinction within 30 years. Recently awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his AI work, Hinton estimates a "10% to 20%" chance that AI could cause human extinction in the next three decades, an increase from his previous 10% prediction. In a BBC Radio 4 interview, Hinton was asked if his views on an AI apocalypse had changed. He affirmed, “Not really, 10% to 20%. ” When questioned about increased odds, he replied, “If anything. We've never faced things more intelligent than ourselves before. ” He noted, “How often does a more intelligent entity get controlled by a less intelligent one?There are few examples—like a mother and baby. Evolution lets the baby control the mother, but that's the only example I know. ” Hinton, a professor emeritus at the University of Toronto, compared humans to toddlers alongside advanced AI, saying, “Imagine yourself and a three-year-old.

We'll be three-year-olds. ” His concerns emerged publicly after leaving his Google position in 2023 to discuss AI's dangers freely. He warned that “bad actors” might misuse AI for harm. Reflecting on AI's rapid advancement, Hinton admitted his surprise, “I didn't think we'd be here now. I thought this was a future milestone. ” He is alarmed that experts now believe AI could surpass human intelligence in 20 years, calling it “a very scary thought. ” Hinton emphasized the necessity of government regulation due to the swift development pace, warning that profit-driven companies alone won't ensure AI safety. “Only government regulation can compel big companies to research safety, ” he stated.