Geoffrey Hinton, also known as the “Godfather of AI,” has resigned from his role at Google to voice his concerns about the potential dangers of AI. Hinton had worked with Google for ten years but expressed apprehension about the rapid advancements in AI technology that could result in job takeovers and a world where truth is hard to discern. His departure comes in the middle of increasing concerns from lawmakers, advocacy groups, and tech insiders about the potential for AI-powered chatbots to spread misinformation. Hinton’s decision to speak about the risks of AI was made independently of any impact it might have on Google. He appreciated Google’s responsible approach to AI but felt the need to raise awareness. Jeff Dean, Google’s chief scientist, expressed gratitude for Hinton’s contributions to the company.

Hinton is not the first Google employee to express concerns about AI. In July, Google terminated an engineer who claimed that an unreleased AI system had become sentient, citing policy violations. Many in the AI community challenged the engineer’s claim. In March, a letter signed by important tech figures called for a six-month halt to the training of the most powerful AI systems due to the “serious danger to society and mankind.” Hinton’s quitting and following public statements add to the growing concerns about AI and its potential risks.