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AI 'godfather' shortens odds on tech wiping out humanity within decades
The Guardian
|December 28, 2024
The British-Canadian computer scientist who has been called a "godfather" of artificial intelligence has shortened the odds of AI wiping out humanity over the next three decades, saying the pace of change in the technology is "much faster" than expected.
Prof Geoffrey Hinton, who this year was awarded the Nobel prize in physics for his work in AI, said there was a "10 to 20" per cent chance that AI would lead to human extinction within the next three decades.
Previously, Hinton had said there was a 10% chance of the technology triggering a catastrophic outcome for humanity. Asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme if he had changed his analysis, he said: "Not really, 10 to 20 [per cent]."
This story is from the December 28, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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