Geoffrey Hinton, known as the "Godfather of AI," recently appeared on The Diary of a CEO podcast with Steven Bartlett, aired on June 16, 2025. The 77-year-old British-Canadian computer scientist, who won the 2018 Turing Award and the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics, shared his deep concerns about artificial intelligence (AI). Hinton, a pioneer in neural networks and deep learning, left Google in 2023 to speak freely about AI’s risks. Below is a summary of the key points and notes from this compelling interview, where he discusses the dangers of AI, its impact on jobs, and his personal regrets.
Key Points from the Interview
1. AI’s Existential Threat to Humanity
Hinton estimates a 20% chance that AI could lead to human extinction within the next 30 years. He warns that AI systems are becoming so powerful that they might outsmart humans and act independently. For example, he imagines a future where AI could control critical infrastructure like power plants, potentially reducing the need for humans. He emphasizes that the risk is real and urgent, calling for more research into AI safety to prevent catastrophic outcomes.
2. Mass Job Losses Due to AI
Hinton predicts that AI will replace many jobs, especially those repetitive intellectual tasks like paralegals, call center workers, and legal assistants. He notes that AI can already perform these tasks faster and more accurately than humans. For instance, language models can now draft legal documents or handle customer queries with ease. He warns that one person using AI could do the work of ten, leading to widespread layoffs. However, he suggests that manual jobs like plumbing, carpentry, or electrical work are safer for now, as AI struggles with physical manipulation in unpredictable environments.
3. AI’s Superior Knowledge and Learning
Hinton explains that AI systems, like GPT-4o, already know thousands of times more than humans and can share knowledge instantly across copies. This makes AI "immortal" and far more efficient at learning than humans. He predicts that AI could reach superintelligence-surpassing human intelligence in nearly all tasks-within 10 to 20 years. This rapid growth makes it hard for humans to keep control.
4. Regret for Creating AI
Hinton expresses deep regret for his role in developing AI. He feels the emotional weight of his legacy, especially when thinking about the world his children and grandchildren will inherit. He admits that while he intellectually understands AI’s risks, it’s hard to process emotionally. His decision to leave Google was driven by a need to warn the world without being restricted by corporate interests.
5. AI’s Potential Benefits
Despite the risks, Hinton acknowledges AI’s potential to transform fields like healthcare, education, and productivity. For example, AI could improve medical diagnoses or make learning more accessible. He warns that these benefits may not be shared equally, with those owning AI technology likely to gain the most while displaced workers struggle.
6. AI Misuse and Criminal Activity
Hinton highlights how criminals are already using AI for sophisticated cyberattacks, like phishing scams. He worries about AI being misused by bad actors, which adds to its dangers. He also note that that AI’s ability to learn independently and share knowledge makes it harder to regulate or control.
7. Advice for Young People
When asked about career advice, Hinton jokingly but seriously suggested becoming a plumber. He believes manual trades are less likely to be automated soon, offering more job security. He also advised young researchers to trust their instincts, even if others dismiss their ideas, reflecting on his own journey in AI development.
8. Personal Reflections and Family Background
Hinton shared insights into his life, mentioning his family’s scientific legacy. His cousin, Joan Hinton, worked on the Manhattan Project but moved to China after opposing the atomic bomb’s use. Hinton’s persistence in AI research came from trusting his intuition despite skepticism from others. He also reflected on the innovator’s dilemma, where new ideas disrupt old systems, a challenge he now faces with AI’s growth.
Key Notes
Tone and Urgency: Hinton’s tone is both reflective and urgent. He balances optimism about AI’s potential with stark warnings about its risks, making the interview a mix of hope and caution.
Emotional Weight: At 77, Hinton is grappling with the consequences of his life’s work, showing vulnerability about his role in creating a technology that could harm humanity.
Call for Action: He stresses the need for global cooperation on AI safety research to prevent misuse and loss of control.
Social Impact: Hinton warns that AI could widen inequality, with wealth concentrating among those who control the technology. He sees joblessness as a major threat to human happiness, even if universal basic income is provided, as people need purpose.
Podcast Impact: The interview has sparked discussions on X, with users describing it as a “must-watch” and highlighting its focus on AI’s existential threats.
Conclusion
Geoffrey Hinton’s interview on The Diary of a CEO is a powerful wake-up call about the future of AI. As a pioneer who helped shape modern AI, his warnings carry weight. He urges society to prepare for AI’s impact on jobs, address its risks, and ensure its benefits are shared fairly. While he sees potential in fields like healthcare, his concerns about job losses, misuse, and existential threats dominate the conversation. For those worried about their careers, Hinton’s advice is clear: consider a trade like plumbing, and for researchers, trust your gut. This interview is a must-listen for anyone curious about AI’s double-edged sword.
You can listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.