The Godfather of AI, Geoffrey Hinton, has confirmed that he left his job at Google to talk about the dangers of the technology he helped develop.
The neural networks pioneered by Hinton shaped AI systems that are now being used to power a lot of products. For ten years, he worked part-time at Google on AI development efforts. However, Hinton has raised concerns regarding the technology and his role in advancing it, according to CNN.
Why He Left
In a tweet, Hinton said he left the tech giant so he could talk freely about the risks of AI, "I left so that I could talk about the dangers of AI without considering how this impacts Google," he tweeted.
In the NYT today, Cade Metz implies that I left Google so that I could criticize Google. Actually, I left so that I could talk about the dangers of AI without considering how this impacts Google. Google has acted very responsibly.
— Geoffrey Hinton (@geoffreyhinton) May 1, 2023
Hinton has made several foundational breakthroughs in AI and was highly recognized and appreciated by Google.
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How AI Can Be Dangerous
Hinton talked about the potential of AI to eliminate jobs and create a world where many will not be able to know what is true anymore. He also pointed out that AI has the potential to do more harm than good.
In a commencement address in 2021, he said that the fast progress of AI would transform society in ways that we don't fully understand, and not all of its effects will be good. He also noted that AI would boost healthcare and create opportunities for lethal autonomous weapons.
Speaking Up at the Right Time
Now is the right time for Hinton to speak up as the growing number of lawmakers, advocacy groups, and tech insiders have raised concerns about the potential for a new batch of AI-powered chatbots to spread misinformation and displace jobs.
With the attention that ChatGPT garnered last year has renewed an arms race among tech companies to develop and deploy similar AI tools in their products.
Hinton isn't the first Google employee to raise concerns about AI. In July 2022, Google fired an engine that claimed an unreleased AI system had become sentient.
However, Hinton's concerns are more focused on the potential negative impact of AI-powered chatbots on society. By speaking up now, Hinton can raise awareness and encourage companies to develop these tools responsibly, focusing on ensuring they do not spread misinformation or displace jobs.
Additionally, Hinton's experience and expertise in the field can provide valuable insights into developing safe and ethical AI-powered chatbots.
Ultimately, speaking up at the right time can help ensure that AI is used to benefit society rather than harm it.
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