Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, predicts AI could end diseases and achieve radical abundance. He discusses the rapid advancements in AI and the quest for AGI, emphasizing the need for ethical considerations in its development. Innovations like Project Astra show AI’s growing capabilities, while Hassabis envisions a future of enhanced human connectivity and revolutionary healthcare solutions. However, he stresses the importance of maintaining control and alignment with societal values amidst this technological evolution.
Demis Hassabis, co-founder and CEO of Google DeepMind, believes artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to eradicate diseases and lead to a phenomenon he calls “radical abundance.” Celebrated for his accomplishments, including a Nobel Prize, Hassabis engages in the quest for artificial general intelligence (AGI), targeting systems as adept as humans but capable of superhuman abilities. As AI advances at an exponential rate, he maintains that great strides lie ahead.
In a recent conversation, Hassabis reflected on his lifelong passion for understanding reality and consciousness. He aims to build AI as a crucial tool for enhancing human knowledge, echoing the inquisitive spirit that has guided him since childhood. Delighted by rapid advancements, he characterizes this progress as skyrocketing upward, fueled by increasing resources, talent, and attention to the AI domain.
At DeepMind, new innovations like Project Astra create chatbots that can see, hear, and communicate about various subjects. As demonstrated during a showcase, Astra exhibited an impressive ability to analyze and describe artwork, even crafting poetic narratives about fictional characters while engaging in free-flowing conversations. This unpredictability in AI interaction, according to Hassabis, poses challenges as these systems learn contextually and autonomously.
DeepMind’s Gemini project aims to bring AI closer to AGI by enabling it to perform real-world tasks such as booking reservations or online shopping. Hassabis forecasts that significant breakthroughs in AI will happen within five to ten years, shaping daily life through nuanced understanding. He predicts a future where AI systems will be integrated into our lives, even envisioning humanoid robots capable of reasoning and carrying out complex actions.
Hassabis, who has always been captivated by games like chess since childhood, combines his rich academic background with a vision for AI that encompasses not only self-awareness but also understanding the distinction between self and others. Although current AI systems lack curiosity and imagination, he believes that, in time, they will overcome these limitations and be capable of formulating new hypotheses and solving important problems.
His groundbreaking AI research has transformed the field of protein structure prediction, significantly reducing the time and cost of drug development. Hassabis envisions a future where diseases could be effectively cured via AI, potentially revolutionizing healthcare. He notes, however, that while possibilities tantalizingly loom, risks remain. The dual-edged nature of these powerful technologies necessitates safeguards against misuse and alignment with societal values.
Emphasizing the importance of international cooperation, he cautions against the rush to innovate potentially undermining safety standards in AI development. There remains a pressing need to instill ethical frameworks within AI systems, akin to nurturing morality in children. Reflecting on the state of AI and its trajectory, Hassabis anticipates profound changes in human endeavors, stressing the need for new philosophical insights to navigate this transformative journey.
Demis Hassabis envisions a transformative future for humanity driven by artificial intelligence, with hopes of curing diseases and achieving radical abundance. However, as the quest for AGI accelerates, he underscores the importance of ethical considerations and safety standards to avoid dangerous missteps. The distinct potential of AI beckons a redefinition of existence, demanding thoughtful engagement with its implications as humanity endeavors to integrate this powerful tool into everyday life.
Original Source: www.cbsnews.com
