In conversation with the Godfather of AI

Cognitive psychologist and computer scientist Geoffrey Hinton – the 'godfather of AI' – started researching AI more than 40 years ago, when it seemed more like science fiction than reality. Join Geoffrey, in conversation with the Atlantic CEO Nick Thompson, for an exploration of the future of AI and a deep dive into its potential impact on society.

Geoffrey Hinton, University of Toronto; Nick Thompson and The Atlantic

[williamjmccartan]

The scan of the audience near the end makes me happy that so many people are paying attention to what's taking place today with the technology we're creating. Thank you for sharing your work. Peace

[stormight]

Geoffrey Hinton is truly a pioneer in AI - we owe so much to his work over the past 40+ years. It's fascinating to hear his perspective on the future of AI given all he has done to advance the field.👍

[laulaja-]

“More different jobs” … Has anyone ever met an Uber driver that can pay their rent? If a line of work can’t cover the cost of living then it is not a real job. Adjusted for inflation, the horses were better paid.

[ParallaxOfficialTV]

I really like the way the godfather talks. Clear and to the point and knows a lot. Ai is fascinating and scary I hope we come out the other side of this in a utopia but it could so easily become dystopian

[TheTuubster]

There are a few key emotions expressed or implied within the document:

• Curiosity - Hinton's foundational work on neural networks seems driven by his intellectual curiosity about how the brain works and how AI systems could work in a similar way. He pursued these ideas despite skepticism from others.

• Passion - Hinton clearly has a deep passion for AI and for making intelligent things, as he states himself. His work in the field seems motivated by his fascination with and enjoyment of the subject matter.

• Surprise - Hinton expresses surprise at how quickly large language models have progressed, especially in capabilities like basic reasoning that he did not initially expect. He is taken aback by their rapid improvements.

• Anxiety - Hinton's critiques and warnings about potential risks reveal an underlying anxiety about the implications of advancing AI technologies. He seems worried that issues like bias, economic impacts, and existential risks could have serious negative consequences if not properly addressed.

• Frustration - Hinton expresses frustration that he did not immediately recognize the significance of breakthroughs like the Transformer architecture. He dislikes not foreseeing important developments in the field.

• Hope - Despite his concerns, Hinton seems hopeful that with careful research and appropriate oversight, AI can ultimately be a force for good. He believes progress is inevitable and largely positive, though risks must be mitigated.

• Humor - Hinton exhibits a good-natured sense of humor, laughing at the AI joke about "an offer it couldn't refuse" and joking with the interviewer's children about careers in plumbing. This suggests he remains engaged and light-hearted in addition to being serious and thoughtful.

Overall, the emotions expressed reflect those one would expect from a passionate, thoughtful expert grappling with both the wonders and worries associated with technological progress. While conveying real anxieties about risks, Hinton's emotional tone remains largely positive and optimistic that, with diligence, AI's benefits can outweigh its potential harms. His interview illustrates the complex mix of emotions involved in responsibly navigating the development of transformative technologies.

(Claude-Instant analysis created from the video's subtitles)

[accumulator]

Eventually there will be a law that says if you loose your job to AI you get a percentage of free income from the AI that replaces u, then people will be begging for AI to hurry up take their jobs. Economy is basically goods and services and if at home u receive a portion of money that represents the work done by a bot that took your place you’ll still be able to pay your bills and buy groceries but you get all of it for literally free. This will slowly happen as we transition into a fully AI/robotic economy.

[mitchkahle]

That stage is truly horrible to look at.

[brandonp]

Great interview. Hinton is very insightful. Thompson asked some great questions.

[Neonb]

Really great, Geoff knows so much and should be interviewed more often

He's so much cleverer than Musk or Altman or whoever, or at least more concise than Musk, so much knowledge and preparation went into this interview

[margaretesulzberger]

fields to be concerned with AI
1. Bias and discrimination - can be multiplied by AI - learned from us
2. battle robots - they are built now by the military
3. Joblessness - AI substitutes sophisticated jobs
4. Echo chambers - can easily be fortified by AI
5. Existential risk - getting in control by manipulating people - learned from us

[pathmonkofficial]

Exploring the future of AI and its potential impact on society is of paramount importance. Understanding the ethical considerations and societal implications of AI advancements will help us navigate this powerful technology responsibly.

[the_curious]

Very interesting. I like the argument that an AI might "want" to get more control to achieve goals more efficiently and we may be a negative factor in this equation. Understanding all the possible sub goals it may develop, especially from an efficiency point of view, to reach higher level goals seems a hard problem to solve. I hope AI will be able to help us solve the existential risk of AI 👀

[AnonyMole]

This is an awful venue. It feels like a game show. Where's the confetti bombs and silly buzzers?

[odiseezall]

Great, clear, concise talk! I would add: one of the big risks of AI is synthetic life / bio-weapons.

[AiLatestNews]

Engaging dialogue with the Godfather of AI! The conversation has been incredibly insightful, offering a unique perspective from the grandfather of AI.

[gusbakker]

The interviewer really pushed this conversation into interesting topics with great questions

[thanosbaba]

I hope people are a little humble in front of Veterans...

[berbank]

Dear internet: More Hinton please.

(Yud is great, but Hinton is more likeable, sorry Yud, I think you're great too.)

[DreamzSoft]

Very rightly tagged "God Father of AI" 👍 we needed such apprehensions on AI as good and bad both... 👏

[Hrishi]

AI at Google just read this, heard the conversation, and now has a parameter that's trending towards " I need control to reach my goals". Hmm.