Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, said more urgent research is needed into the risks of artificial intelligence, calling for “smart regulation” to address serious threats.
Speaking at the AI Impact Summit in Delhi, Hassabis warned of two major dangers: misuse by bad actors and the potential loss of control as autonomous systems grow more powerful. He urged the creation of “robust guardrails,” while acknowledging that regulators are struggling to keep pace with rapid AI development.
Other leaders echoed the call for oversight. Sam Altman of OpenAI pushed for urgent regulation, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for global cooperation. However, the US delegation, led by White House tech adviser Michael Kratsios, rejected global governance, arguing that centralized control would hinder innovation.
Hassabis said AI could become a “superpower” within a decade, expanding who can create software and applications. While AI may handle coding, he emphasized that technical education, creativity, and judgment will remain essential.
The summit—the largest gathering yet of global leaders and tech executives focused on AI—concludes with an expected joint statement on how to manage the technology’s future.
Author: Mohammed Najem