The Godfather of Artificial Intelligence: A Human Invention That Threatens Humanity

Amid an unprecedented acceleration in the development of #artificial_intelligence (AI) technologies, it has become more necessary than ever to pause and reflect, not only on what machines are capable of achieving, but on how they may fundamentally reshape the core of our lives and societies.

Just two years ago, the so-called godfather of AI, Geoffrey Hinton, along with others, viewed the near-human capabilities of artificial intelligence as a purely scientific achievement. Today, in 2025, the picture has broadened significantly, extending from real-time surveillance systems to legislative frameworks designed to set limits on what is referred to as general intelligence.

AI has moved beyond being a purely technological revolution to becoming a tool with profound social impact. Its rapid advancement has made it increasingly difficult to distinguish between real images and videos and those generated artificially. Modern AI systems are now capable of producing highly realistic visual and video content, blurring the line between reality and fabrication. These techniques are no longer used solely for entertainment, but also for media disinformation, cyber extortion, and digital document forgery.

At the same time, several countries have relaunched large-scale surveillance trials using facial recognition technology, in parallel with the expanding use of AI in security. In the United Kingdom, for example, authorities recently announced the expansion of facial recognition systems within police forces, sparking widespread debate over privacy and individual freedoms.

By 2025, several studies have predicted that artificial intelligence will no longer be limited to simple or routine tasks, but will increasingly enter highly specialized professions. This shift places growing pressure on education and labor systems to retrain and reskill the workforce.

In response to both the risks and opportunities, the world has begun to act on the regulatory and policy levels. The European Union Artificial Intelligence Act (EU AI Act) has entered into force, imposing clear restrictions on high-risk applications such as mass facial recognition, social scoring, and algorithms designed to manipulate individual behavior online.

Globally, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) launched the “AI for Good 2025” initiative, an international summit aimed at steering #artificial_intelligence toward sustainable development, while calling for ethical and responsible standards for its use.

Warnings have also emerged through reports published by Reuters, citing independent organizations monitoring #AI safety. These reports caution that many major corporations remain insufficiently prepared to control extremely powerful #AI models, opening the door to harmful use under the guise of technological progress.

If #artificial_intelligence continues to develop without regulation or safeguards, it may be used:

In massive surveillance systems that suffocate individual freedoms.

To accelerate the spread of false information images, audio, and videos capable of deceiving millions, influencing public opinion, or undermining trust in institutions.

To radically transform the labor market, as professions that once required human skill are replaced by machines, potentially leading to widespread unemployment unless governments accompany this shift with reskilling and employment policies.

More alarming still, according to a report issued by TRENDS Research & Advisory on September 24 of this year, there are growing possibilities for deploying #AI in advanced biological research. This raises fears of a biological arms race, particularly if such technologies fall into the hands of irresponsible actors.

#Artificial_intelligence is not an absolute evil. It is a tool and it can become a human beacon in medicine, education, environmental protection, public services, and beyond, provided that several conditions are met:

Clear governance: Regulations such as the EU AI Act represent an important step, but they must be supported by a global vision.

Transparency from technology companies: Including the publication of risk-assessment reports and the enforcement of security and safety standards before deploying any powerful model.

Societal awareness and digital literacy: People need to understand the tools they use, their risks, and how to protect their privacy.

Education and training strategies: Workers should not be abruptly pushed out of the labor market, but instead be given opportunities to acquire new skills aligned with the demands of the modern era.

In the end, #artificial_intelligence remains one of humanity’s greatest innovations one that balances the promise of progress with the risk of ethical deviation. It has the power to expand knowledge and transform human life into a more efficient and productive experience. Yet it also threatens privacy, overturns traditional professions, and may be exploited in the development of biological weapons or other technologies that push humanity toward the brink.

For this reason, Geoffrey Hinton calls for global vigilance, strict regulation, and shared ethical responsibility, to ensure that scientific progress remains a means of serving and enriching humanity, rather than a threat to its existence and stability.