Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis downplayed fears of AI causing mass job losses, focusing instead on the greater risks of AI misuse and lack of safeguards. Speaking at the SXSW festival in London, he warned about advanced AI, particularly artificial general intelligence (AGI), falling into the hands of bad actors. Hassabis stressed the need for global regulation to ensure AI is used for beneficial purposes, despite current geopolitical challenges.
While some, like Anthropic’s CEO Dario Amodei, warn AI could eliminate half of entry-level white-collar jobs, Hassabis believes it will boost productivity and create new roles, much like past tech revolutions. He envisions AI “assistants” helping with daily tasks and enriching lives—an area Google is exploring with tools like smart glasses and enhanced search.
Despite AI’s rapid advancements in areas like coding and video generation, current models still face issues like bias and hallucination, reminding us the technology isn’t flawless yet.
What’s the lesson here?
Everyone’s got an opinion on AI these days—whether it’s going to steal our jobs or make life easier… or both. As AI tools become more integrated into our lives, it’s crucial to keep your data safe, ensuring it’s only shared with trusted platforms that prioritize security, privacy, and ethical use.
What other topics are trending?
- Google’s latest survey shows Gen Z is leading the charge toward a passwordless future: Most older users still rely on passwords and two-factor authentication, while Gen Z and Millennial users are more inclined to use newer solutions like passkeys and social sign-ins.
- Microsoft unveils free EU cybersecurity program for governments: The program is meant to help bolster their defenses against cyber threats, including those enhanced by artificial intelligence, after a surge in cyberattacks.
- AI startup backed by Microsoft revealed to be 700 Indian employees pretending to be chatbots: Builder.ai, a London-based company previously valued at $1.5 billion, marketed its platform as an AI-powered solution that made building apps as simple as ordering pizza via its virtual assistant, “Natasha”—when in reality, nearly 700 engineers in India were manually coding customer requests behind the scenes.
The Soapbox: Online conversations you don’t want to miss
Featuring insights from our Co-Founder & CTO, James Ciesielski.
Australia becomes first country to force disclosure of ransomware payments
Industry take: Having authorities keeping a close eye on this phenomenon and getting involved is a start, but it is obviously not the solution. Companies need to look at prevention options in order to keep their data safe. Prevention is always cheaper, easier and more sustainable compared to recovery.
– Alexandru Luchian Constantinescu, CEO, Life in Codes
Join the conversation on Reddit.
How do you keep your skills sharp in such a fast-moving field?
My take? Make it a habit to carve out time during the workday to learn new tools, read industry news, or dive into hands-on labs. Don’t forget to take full advantage of your professional development budget—it’s there to help you grow and stay ahead.
Join the conversation on Reddit.
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