Geoffrey Hinton – Getty Images

Geoffrey Hinton, a renowned computer scientist and Nobel laureate nicknamed the “godfather of AI,” thinks that artificial intelligence will transform the global labor market in a radical way, resulting in huge riches for a few but leaving the rest behind.

In recent interviews, Hinton expressed his thoughts on the future of the technology he has contributed to developing. According to him, the future of AI looks bleak, as it will further increase economic inequality. He believes that corporations and wealthy individuals will increasingly use AI systems to automate human labor, thus increasing corporate profits while simultaneously reducing the need for human employees. This could lead to massive unemployment levels accompanied by unprecedented corporate profits.

Hinton has stated that this situation will not be caused by the technology but by the way in which the modern capitalist system decides to apply it. He has also criticized the profit-driven approach of the biggest AI companies, suggesting that commercial interests may override serious consideration of long-term societal implications.

As of now, the situation of massive unemployment caused by AI has not fully manifested. However, initial indications suggest that the lowest-level jobs, especially those that have been traditionally occupied by new graduates, are becoming increasingly susceptible to automation tools that are becoming increasingly sophisticated by the day. Studies have revealed that corporations testing AI are choosing to retrain employees rather than immediately lay them off, although economists forecast that labor market disruptions will soon escalate.

One area that Hinton thinks will be relatively more robust is the healthcare industry. He says that if AI technology can improve the efficiency of doctors and medical professionals, then societies might be able to increase the number of people they treat without necessarily increasing costs. He thinks that the demand for healthcare is effectively limitless, so that efficiency gains would simply lead to more services being provided rather than fewer jobs.

At the same time, he thinks that jobs that are focused on repetitive or routine tasks are the most at risk. Jobs that are highly skilled and require complex judgment may last longer, but even these are not safe as systems become more and more sophisticated.

Hinton has also rejected the idea of universal basic income as a solution to the problem of job displacement caused by AI technology. While he agrees that it may provide a financial safety net, he thinks that it does not address the psychological and social need that people have for work.

In addition to economic concerns, Hinton has continued to sound the alarm about the existential risks of advanced AI technology. He has previously suggested that there is a non-negligible chance that superintelligent AI systems could pose a threat to humanity if not properly managed. He thinks that there are two types of risks: risks of unintended consequences from the technology itself, and risks of misuse by malicious actors.

He has expressed concerns that AI technology could be used to create biological weapons, and he is frustrated with what he sees as a lack of regulatory urgency in some governments. At the same time, he recognizes that the technology has extraordinary potential benefits, and that this is a momentous time in history that is full of promise and uncertainty.

However, Hinton still actively uses AI tools despite his warnings. He has stated that his favorite AI tool is OpenAI’s chatbot, ChatGPT, which he uses mainly for research purposes. In a more lighthearted account, he once revealed that a former partner used the chatbot to write a scathing review of his actions during their split, which he remembered with his characteristic humor.

Hinton also explained why he left his position at Google in 2023. Contrary to popular belief, he did not leave to freely speak about the dangers of AI development. Instead, he revealed that retirement was the primary reason for his departure. After many years of dedication to his craft, he felt that he was ready to take it easy, as he felt that his age had made programming more challenging and that he simply wanted to take the time to enjoy life outside of the lab. His willingness to speak freely about the dangers of AI, he said, was made possible because he had already decided to retire.

As artificial intelligence accelerates at an unprecedented pace, Hinton asserts that no one can accurately forecast the eventual outcome of AI development. What is certain to him, however, is that this technology will not pass society by without leaving its mark.