Geoffrey Hinton, widely known as the “Godfather of AI,” has reiterated his concerns about the unchecked growth of artificial intelligence, criticising major tech companies for not taking the associated risks seriously. In a recent episode of the One Decision podcast, Hinton stated that while many industry leaders understand the dangers AI poses, they continue to downplay them in public.
He warned that the concentration of AI power in the hands of a few corporations could have serious consequences, saying, “The people who control AI are oligarchs.” His comments add to the growing global conversation around ethical AI governance and accountability.
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Hinton singled out Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, for praise, saying he is one of the few genuinely committed to addressing the potential misuse of AI. He emphasized Hassabis’s seriousness by quoting him on the dangers posed by bad actors: “A bad actor could repurpose those same technologies for a harmful end.”
Hinton, who shared the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics, did not extend the same praise to other prominent tech leaders. When asked if he trusted figures like Elon Musk or Mark Zuckerberg, he replied bluntly, “I think when I called them oligarchs, you know the answer to that.” This comment highlights his growing unease with the consolidation of AI power among a few influential individuals and companies.
AI “Godfather” Geoffrey Hinton warns most tech firms downplay AI risks. He praises DeepMind’s Demis Hassabis but calls Musk & Zuckerberg “oligarchs” he doesn’t trust. #Veloza #AI #AISafetyhttps://t.co/8Gaj9BolUr pic.twitter.com/lggIxDBgkb
— Veloza (@Veloza_Award) July 28, 2025
He also spoke about his 2023 departure from Google, clarifying that contrary to media reports, it wasn’t solely a moral protest against Google’s AI ambitions. Instead, he cited his age and diminishing ability to program as the main reasons, though he admitted leaving allowed him to speak more freely about AI risks. “You can’t take their money and then not be influenced by what’s in their own interest,” he said, revealing the tension between corporate loyalty and independent advocacy.
Looking ahead, Hinton expressed deep concern over the unpredictable acceleration of AI capabilities, saying that machines are improving far faster than anyone anticipated. He also shared a personal regret: “I should have realised much sooner what the eventual dangers were going to be.” His reflections signal a call for both urgency and accountability in managing the trajectory of AI development.
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