Geoffrey Hinton, a pioneering computer scientist often referred to as the “Godfather of AI,” has criticized former President Donald Trump for attempting to rebrand artificial intelligence as “superintelligence.” Hinton stated in an interview with The Guardian that this move demonstrates Trump understands “almost nothing” about the field.
Hinton clarified that “superintelligence,” defined as a hypothetical form of intelligence surpassing human capabilities, has been a recognized concept for at least two decades. He emphasized that merely renaming AI does not imbue it with superior intellect. In the same interview, Hinton also commented on an agreement between Trump and AI leaders, where companies voluntarily committed to self-regulation, despite broader concerns about AI's potential risks.
Hinton drew parallels between this voluntary regulation and industries like oil, asbestos, and tobacco, suggesting self-regulation is often inadequate. He questioned whether tobacco companies should have been allowed to design their own warning labels. Previously, Hinton had described Trump’s engagement with AI matters as “ill-advised” and likened the potential dangers of advanced AI to managing a tiger cub, warning of future trouble if its intentions cannot be controlled.
The computer scientist’s remarks coincided with the release of an open letter, co-signed by approximately 400 scientists globally, calling for the establishment of an international body to oversee advanced AI development. Hinton, who left Google in 2023 to publicly discuss AI risks, has expressed regret over his contributions to the field, citing increasing dangers, including the potential for widespread misinformation and the existential threat posed by AI surpassing human intelligence.
Hinton also noted that AI companies like Anthropic have engaged in private discussions with religious scholars to explore the possibility of AI consciousness. He expressed concern that focusing on potential moral obligations to advanced AI might alienate the public from understanding the immediate risks.