Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Canadian computer scientist Yoshua Bengio, regarded as one of the “Godfathers of AI,” has expressed concern over the potential misuse of artificial intelligence by influential individuals. Speaking at the One Young World Summit in Montreal, Bengio highlighted fears of a fringe group seeking to replace humans with machines.
Bengio cautioned against the concentration of power enabled by AI, pointing to the economic, political, and military dominance it could offer. He stressed the risks posed by those who might exploit AI to consolidate their influence over global systems.
Bengio emphasized the urgency of implementing safeguards, warning that even a small group with substantial resources could misuse AI. He noted, “There are people who might want to abuse that power and replace humanity with machines.”
Highlighting the need for timely global policies, Bengio warned that delays in regulating AI could exacerbate its risks. He pointed out that human-level AI, if achieved before adequate policies are in place, could lead to harmful outcomes.
Bengio underscored the transformative nature of AI, stating that its growing role in critical domains like economics, politics, and defence requires proactive governance. Without checks, it could destabilize markets, undermine democracy, and threaten geopolitical stability.
He stressed the importance of international cooperation to address AI’s challenges. “If we’re five years away from human-level AI, we’re not ready,” Bengio warned, urging world leaders to act before it’s too late.
Bengio has been a vocal advocate for responsible AI development. He previously signed the “Right to Warn” open letter with other AI researchers, raising alarms about the technology’s potential dangers and the suppression of critical discourse within the field.
Bengio joins a chorus of experts urging regulation of AI while it is still in its early stages. Many warn that without intervention, AI could be exploited in ways that are detrimental to humanity and global stability.