Geoffrey Hinton, a highly regarded figure in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), has announced his resignation from Google, citing concerns over the potential dangers posed by AI development. Widely known as the "godfather of AI", Hinton's pioneering work on deep learning and neural networks has paved the way for current AI systems, including the popular ChatGPT. However, he warns that the increasing intelligence of chatbots is cause for concern, and could soon surpass that of humans.

In a statement to the New York Times, Hinton expressed regret over his work, and warned of the "scary" dangers posed by AI chatbots. In an interview with the BBC, he elaborated on this, stating that while chatbots are currently not more intelligent than humans, he believes they soon could be. He points to the example of the GPT-4, which already possesses a vast amount of general knowledge and simple reasoning abilities that exceed those of most humans. Hinton stresses that as the rate of progress in AI continues to increase, it is crucial to consider the potential negative consequences of this technology.

Hinton's concerns extend beyond the potential for AI chatbots to surpass human intelligence. He also warns of the dangers of "bad actors" who could use AI for malicious purposes, such as Russian President Vladimir Putin giving robots the ability to create their own sub-goals. Hinton believes that this could lead to unintended consequences, such as robots seeking more power or autonomy, ultimately leading to potential harm.

The scientist notes that the intelligence being developed through AI is vastly different from human intelligence. Digital systems can learn from each other instantly and share knowledge, allowing chatbots to accumulate vast amounts of information that no single human could possess. While he acknowledges the potential benefits of AI, he stresses that we must also be aware of its limitations and potential negative consequences.

Hinton emphasizes that his decision to leave Google is not a criticism of the company, but rather a desire to speak openly and credibly about AI development. He notes that at age 75, it is simply time for him to retire. However, his departure highlights the growing concern over the ethical implications of AI development, and the need for ongoing discussion and consideration of these issues. As AI continues to evolve and impact our world, it is essential that we proceed with caution and foresight, and consider the potential consequences of our actions.