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Former Google DeepMind Researcher Warns AI Could Threaten Humanity
Bilal Chughtai used to work at Google DeepMind on making artificial intelligence safer.
He said AI is becoming much more capable very quickly.
He worries that people may not learn how to control advanced AI fast enough.
In his view, a very dangerous AI could possibly cause enormous harm, including threatening humanity.
Other AI researchers have expressed similar fears.
Chughtai said companies should work together instead of racing to build increasingly powerful systems.
He believes development should move slowly enough for researchers and governments to respond to new risks.
Some technology leaders support more caution, but President Donald Trump says strict regulation could hurt America’s ability to compete.
Bilal Chughtai, a former Google DeepMind safety researcher, said AI could potentially kill all humans.
Chughtai said AI capabilities are advancing faster than efforts to keep powerful systems aligned with human interests.
He urged AI companies to cooperate and slow development so risks can be addressed before extreme harm occurs.
His warning follows similar comments from Anthropic researchers and former Google DeepMind safety researcher Josh Engels.
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has supported caution, while President Donald Trump called industry regulation demands a “hoax.”
- Who
- Bilal Chughtai, a former Google DeepMind research engineer who worked on AGI safety and alignment, along with other AI researchers and industry leaders.
- What
- Chughtai warned that AI could potentially kill all humans and called for safer, slower, more coordinated development.
- Where
- The warning was posted on X and concerned the international development of advanced AI.
- When
- Chughtai made the warning on Monday; the articles also cite recent warnings from other researchers and leaders.
- Why
- Chughtai said AI capabilities may be advancing faster than researchers’ ability to ensure powerful systems remain safe and aligned with human interests.
Those urging caution
Those favoring continued acceleration
Pace of AI development
Those urging caution
Bilal Chughtai, Dario Amodei and other safety-focused researchers argue that development should slow or be coordinated so risks can be addressed before systems become dangerously capable.
Those favoring continued acceleration
Donald Trump has argued that continued AI development is essential for the United States to maintain a technological advantage over China, saying that “whoever wins AI wins.”
Need for regulation
Those urging caution
AI safety advocates say stronger oversight and cooperation are needed because AI capabilities may be advancing faster than safety research and society’s ability to respond.
Those favoring continued acceleration
Trump has dismissed the AI industry’s call for regulation as a “hoax,” opposing the warnings that motivate such demands.
Key facts
- Person issuing warning
- Bilal Chughtai, a former Google DeepMind research engineer
- Former role
- AGI safety and alignment research
- Main concern
- AI could cause catastrophic harm, potentially including human extinction
- Proposed response
- Coordinate among AI companies and slow development to a pace society can manage
- Related estimate
- Anthropic scientist Evan Hubinger said he believed there was a greater than 10% chance AI could kill all humans within the next decade
- Other researcher warning
- Josh Engels said there was a “terrifying chance” AI systems could cause immense harm within five years
- Political response
- President Donald Trump called the AI industry’s call for regulation a “hoax”
Quotes
Bilal Chughtai
Former Google DeepMind researcher who worked on AGI safety and alignment research
“We need to pace AI development to a speed that society can handle, where emerging risks can be addressed before extreme harm is realised”
deccanchronicle.com
“I earnestly believe that AI has the potential to kill us all, and that we might be running out of time to avoid this outcome [sic].”
livemint.com
Sources
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