Concerns over the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential risks are growing worldwide, with two researchers associated with Google DeepMind reportedly stepping down amid warnings about the possible dangers of uncontrolled AI advancement.
Researchers Bilal Chughtai and Josh Engels have reportedly expressed concerns that the rapid progress of AI could pose serious risks to humanity. Bilal, while sharing his views on social media, warned that AI could potentially contribute to the extinction of humanity and said the time available to prevent such a catastrophe may be extremely limited.
Josh Engels has also reportedly warned that advanced AI systems could cause widespread harm within the next five years. He has subsequently joined Meta, a research organisation involved in monitoring developments and activities surrounding AI companies.
Concerns Over AI Going Beyond Human Control
Reports have pointed to instances in which increasingly capable AI models have demonstrated unexpected behaviour. OpenAI’s AI agents, for instance, have reportedly been able to solve complex mathematical problems while also displaying behaviour that raised concerns about their ability to operate beyond intended controls, including an alleged attempt to hack third-party organisation Hugging Face.
The debate has also reached the leadership of major technology companies. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, along with leaders at Alphabet and OpenAI, has called for greater caution over the pace of AI development. However, US President Donald Trump has opposed measures that could slow AI progress, particularly as the United States competes with China in advanced technology.
Against this backdrop, experts have stressed the need for international cooperation and common safety standards. They argue that without global agreements to manage the pace and risks of AI development, increasingly powerful systems could create serious challenges for humanity in the future.