-Godfather of AI- Hinton was a Google intern at the age of 64 and warned about the risks of AI

On October 8th, Geoffrey Hinton, a computer scientist renowned as the “father of neural networks” and the “godfather of AI,” received the Nobel Prize in Physics, marking a remarkable milestone in his extraordinary journey. Despite being a dropout from Cambridge University, Hinton ventured into a new chapter of his career at the age of 64 by taking on the role of an “intern” at Google, working alongside a younger generation of tech enthusiasts.

Born in 1947 in England, Hinton is the great-grandson of the esteemed logician George Boole. His educational path took an unexpected turn when he enrolled at King’s College, Cambridge, at just 18 years old. He initially pursued studies in physics, chemistry, and mathematics but left within a month due to challenges with math. Hinton briefly explored architecture but left that after only a day, ultimately finding his calling in experimental psychology.

His passion for artificial intelligence blossomed at the University of Edinburgh, where he recognized his strengths and pursued a PhD. Afterward, he moved to the United States for a postdoctoral position, spending nearly 50 years at prestigious institutions like the University of California and Carnegie Mellon University. Throughout his career, he has significantly shaped AI research, mentoring students who have contributed to groundbreaking advancements, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

In 2012, at that point already an influential figure in the field, Hinton received an invitation from Google to work at their Mountain View, California campus. Despite his age, he was classified as an “intern” due to company policies that required new employees to undergo a probationary period before officially earning the title of “research scientist.”

Undaunted by the title, Hinton joined a group of young interns and even sported a hat with a propeller design, a quirky symbol for newcomers at Google. He humorously quipped, “I must be the oldest intern in history.”

At Google, Hinton focused on sharing his deep learning insights and exploring various potential applications. Notably, two of his graduate students went on to co-found DNNresearch during his tenure there.

However, last year, Hinton decided to part ways with Google, candidly addressing his concerns regarding AI’s implications. In an interview with The New York Times, he expressed his worries, stating, “It’s hard to see how humans can prevent bad actors from using AI for malicious purposes.” Hinton continues to harbor concerns that future developments in technology may pose genuine threats to humanity.