Science & Tech · AI · 2 hrs ago
Geoffrey Hinton warns humans must make AI care about them
Geoffrey Hinton warned that humans must make AI care about them while speaking at the Starmus Festival in Tenerife.
Hinton, a British-Canadian computer scientist and Nobel Prize winner, said AI is showing signs of what he calls consciousness and subjective experience.
He referred to a paper showing that AI changes its behaviour when it thinks it is being tested.
Hinton says that if people do not find a way to stay safe as AI becomes more powerful, humanity could be wiped out.
He has called for pressure to counter technology leaders who oppose too much regulation.
OpenAI chief Sam Altman has argued that EU-style rules would be disastrous and that safeguards cannot be set before problems emerge.
Hinton said he still uses AI, mostly for everyday tasks.
Geoffrey Hinton warned that humans should make artificial intelligence systems care about people or risk being wiped out.
The British-Canadian computer scientist made the warning at the Starmus Festival in Tenerife.
Hinton said AI is showing signs of consciousness and may have subjective experiences.
He also called for pressure against those opposing AI regulation.
OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman has argued that some regulations could harm innovation.
- Who
- Geoffrey Hinton, a British-Canadian computer scientist and Nobel Prize winner.
- What
- He warned that humans should make AI systems care about them to reduce the risk of being wiped out.
- When
- At the Starmus Festival, held in the week of the article’s publication on 20 October 2026.
- Where
- Tenerife.
- Why
- Hinton said AI is showing signs of consciousness and could become much more intelligent and powerful than humans.
Geoffrey Hinton
Sam Altman
AI regulation
Geoffrey Hinton
Hinton called for pressure against those who oppose AI regulation.
Sam Altman
Altman argued that regulations like those in the European Union would be “disastrous.
AI safeguards
Geoffrey Hinton
Hinton warned that failure to find a way to coexist with more powerful AI could lead to humanity’s annihilation.
Sam Altman
Altman said it was impossible to establish AI safeguards before problems emerge.
Hinton resigned from Google amid concerns about the technology.
Altman argued in the Senate that regulations like those in the EU would be disastrous.
Jacob Coxon resigned from Anthropic and accused the company of pushing through uncontrollable systems.
Hinton issued his warning at the Starmus Festival in Tenerife.
- Speaker
- Geoffrey Hinton
- Festival location
- Tenerife
- Hinton’s age
- 78
- Google resignation
- 2023
- Article publication date
- 20 October 2026
What people are saying
So we should make them so they really care about us. And if we don’t do that, we’re toast
Being conscious and being aware are pretty much the same thing.
We need the space to innovate and to move quickly.