Risks of unregulated AI: Nobel Prize winner warns of existential threats to humans

Sci-Tech Desk: Ever since Chat GPT was launched in 2022, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been developing at a lightning speed. However, if it is not effectively regulated than it would resemble a speeding car with an accelerator, but without a brake, said Nobel Prize winner Geoffrey Hinton at the 2026 Digital World Conference held in Geneva.

The British-Canadian computer scientist who is also known as the pioneer and the ‘Godfather of AI’ stressed on the dire need to improve AI governance and ethical frameworks concerning the technology.

During his speech he compared unregulated AI with a car accelerator that could speed without any limit, and regulated AI with a brake that can help the car that can safely slow down

He also remarked that some people are opposed to AI regulation because they are made to believe that regulating the technology is equal to hindering its growth. And huge investments are being done to make people believe this.

Besides, he also underscored the challenges associated with AI adoption and job losses, as it is becoming a cheaper option for organizations to use technology than humans. He said AI could be a boon and a productivity booster for certain sectors like health care. However, in some areas like call center industry AI can do a better job than humans. Moreover, if super intelligent AI emerges in the future, any intellectual job could be easier and cheaper than being done by humans.

By warning that it is uncertain if humans are capable of co-existing with super intelligent AI, The Nobel Prize winner in Physis, insisted that we should be careful and develop the technology in a way where humans can live in harmony with AI and continue to exist with it.

Source: france24.com, wdtacademy.org