DeepMind CEO and Nobel laureate Demis Hassabis downplayed fears of mass unemployment caused by AI, instead warning of the greater threat posed by powerful systems falling into the wrong hands. Speaking at SXSW London, Hassabis said his primary concern is the misuse of artificial general intelligence (AGI), particularly in the absence of global regulatory frameworks.
He said the urgent need to prevent bad actors from exploiting advanced AI models, stating that “access must be restricted to harmful uses, while enabling positive innovation.” Hassabis also called for international cooperation on AI governance, acknowledging geopolitical challenges but expressing hope for future alignment.
Describing a near-term vision of AI agents assisting users in daily life, he noted that while AI may reshape the workforce, it could also lead to increased productivity and entirely new job categories.
