A high-ranking Google executive has just validated widespread concerns: Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) may be closer than anticipated.
Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, revealed in an interview with 60 Minutes that AI could achieve human-level intelligence within the next 5 to 10 years. This suggests that by 2035, machines may be capable of thinking, reasoning, and comprehending the world in a manner similar to humans.
“We’ll have a system that truly comprehends everything around you in very nuanced and profound ways,” Hassabis stated.
A Warning
In a different interview with Time, he cautioned that the world is not prepared for what lies ahead.
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“AGI is on the horizon… I’m uncertain if society is ready for it yet.” – Demis Hassabis, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Google DeepMind
He stressed the critical need for international collaboration among governments, companies, and research institutions to ensure the safe and manageable development of AGI.
Research from DeepMind has identified AGI as a possible existential threat, with a recent paper warning that mishandling AGI could “permanently obliterate humanity.”
A Promising Potential
Despite the inherent risks, Hassabis believes AGI could significantly transform health care. In discussions with The Economic Times, he suggested that AI has the potential to bring about “the end of disease” within the coming decade.
“I believe there’s a strong possibility that AI could eliminate disease as we currently understand it,” Hassabis mentioned, referencing advancements in protein folding and drug development.
AGI differs fundamentally from current AI; it’s not merely intelligent software but a form of software capable of performing any task that a human can do—encompassing creativity, logic, and intuition at digital speeds.
Hassabis’ Proposal
He advocates for the establishment of a CERN-style international research hub for AGI, along with an oversight body similar to the IAEA to monitor and regulate its development.
The race toward AGI is accelerating. The leader of this endeavor warns that we are ill-prepared, but the implications are monumental, ranging from eradicating disease to posing risks of human extinction.
