Watch: AI Pioneer Warns: Powerful Figures Push to Replace Humans with Machines

A prominent figure in the field of artificial intelligence has issued a serious warning, not about the technology itself, but about the individuals controlling it. Yoshua Bengio, a Canadian computer scientist often regarded as one of the pioneers of AI, shared his concerns in an interview with CNBC, highlighting that certain powerful tech moguls may aim to replace humans with AI, as reported by Futurism.

Bengio, one of the so-called “Godfathers of AI,” has previously raised alarms about the potential dangers of AI. He was also a signatory of the “Right to Warn” letter, an open letter signed by AI experts from OpenAI, which warns that AI could pose significant risks that are not being openly discussed.

During a speech at the One Young World Summit in Montreal, Bengio emphasized the link between intelligence and power, questioning who would control that power. He expressed concern that there are individuals who might want to misuse this power and who could be eager to see humanity replaced by machines.

While acknowledging that such individuals represent a small minority, Bengio warned that they hold considerable influence and could potentially carry out their agendas unless safeguards are put in place immediately. He stressed that this concentration of power—whether economic, political, or military—could have dangerous consequences for markets, democracy, and global stability.

Bengio also called for urgent global policy measures to manage the growing power of AI. Although the timeline for achieving human-level AI remains uncertain, he pointed out that if it occurs before appropriate regulations are established, the outcome could be disastrous. He argued that the world is not yet prepared, noting that current methods are insufficient to ensure that AI systems will not harm people or turn against them.

Other AI experts have echoed Bengio’s call for urgent action to regulate AI before it’s too late.