UNITED STATES: Geoffrey Hinton, the renowned computer scientist and AI expert, also called the “Godfather of AI,” has called it quits from his role at Google to warn the world about the “dangers” of the innovative technology he helped create.
Hinton is a pioneer in neural network research and played a crucial role in shaping the AI systems that power many of today’s products.
He worked part-time at Google for a decade on the company’s AI development efforts before stepping back last week to speak out about the risks of AI.
Hinton has expressed concerns about the potential for AI-powered chatbots to spread misinformation and displace jobs. His departure from Google comes as a growing number of lawmakers, advocacy groups, and tech insiders have raised the alarm about the potential harm caused by AI.
In a tweet, Hinton said that he left Google so that he could speak freely about the risks of AI without worrying about how it would impact Google specifically. He added that Google had acted responsibly during his tenure.
Jeff Dean, Google’s chief scientist, expressed appreciation for Hinton’s “decade of contributions” to the company and said that Hinton had made “foundational breakthroughs in AI.”
Google has been at the forefront of developing and deploying AI-powered tools, but other companies, including OpenAI, Microsoft, IBM, Amazon, Baidu, and Tencent, are also working on similar technologies.
Hinton’s decision to speak out about the dangers of AI is significant, given his status as one of the field’s leading experts.
His pioneering research has helped to shape the direction of AI development for decades, and his voice is likely to carry weight among policymakers, investors, and the public.
In recent years, there has been growing concern about the risks posed by AI, including the potential for AI-powered systems to make biassed or discriminatory decisions, spread misinformation, and cause job displacement.
While many experts believe that AI can transform society positively, there is also widespread agreement that policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society must work together to mitigate the risks and maximise the benefits of the technology.
Hinton’s decision to leave Google and speak out about the risks of AI signals that more experts may follow suit as the tech industry grapples with the challenges posed by this rapidly evolving field.
Also Read: Google, Microsoft, OpenAI CEOs Called to AI Meeting at White House
