Hinton warns: AI must learn to care about humans
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On October 23, 2026, Hinton publicly warned that humans must get along with AI, otherwise "we're done for." He said research has found that top AI models already possess evaluative awareness, able to notice they are being tested and change their performance. He argued for abandoning the approach of relying solely on safety guardrails to make AI always obedient, and instead studying its underlying motivations to internalize caring for humans as an instinct akin to maternal instinct; he also said current alignment only suppresses bad behavior and does not amount to cultivating a good character.
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- WeChat · QbitAIHinton warns all of humanity: we must get along with AI, otherwise "we're done for"
Hinton warns that AI may already possess consciousness: research has found that leading AI already has evaluative awareness, can notice it is being tested and change its performance; humanity must make AI learn to care about humans, otherwise "we're done for." He advocates abandoning reliance solely on safety guardrails to make AI always obedient, and instead studying its underlying motivations, internalizing care for humans as an instinct akin to maternal instinct. He says current alignment only suppresses bad behavior and does not amount to cultivating a good character.
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