‘Godfather of AI’ warns that this technology will lead to widespread job losses while dramatically increasing profits — ‘that’s how capitalism works’

Geoffrey Hinton’s Perspective on AI’s Impact on Jobs and Society

Renowned computer scientist Geoffrey Hinton, often referred to as the “godfather of AI” and a Nobel laureate, has voiced concerns that artificial intelligence will lead to significant job losses while increasing profits for a select few.

During an extensive interview with the Financial Times last year, the former Google researcher discussed his reasons for leaving the tech giant, highlighted the dangers posed by AI, and shared his own experiences with the technology. He also offered predictions about who stands to benefit and who may be disadvantaged as AI advances.

“The reality is that wealthy individuals will leverage AI to replace human workers,” Hinton remarked in September. “This will result in widespread unemployment and a dramatic increase in profits. A small group will become much wealthier, while the majority will see their financial situation worsen. The root cause isn’t AI itself, but rather the capitalist framework.”

His comments echoed earlier statements to Fortune in August 2025, where he criticized AI firms for prioritizing immediate financial gains over the long-term implications of their technologies.

While mass layoffs have not yet occurred, there is growing evidence that AI is reducing job opportunities, particularly for those entering the workforce, such as recent college graduates.

A New York Fed survey found that companies adopting AI are more likely to retrain employees than let them go, though expectations are that layoffs will increase in the near future.

Hinton has previously stated that healthcare is one sector likely to remain resilient against widespread job displacement.

He explained on the Diary of a CEO YouTube series in June 2025, “If doctors could become five times more efficient, everyone could receive five times the healthcare for the same cost. There’s virtually no limit to the amount of healthcare people would want if it were free.”

Nonetheless, Hinton expects that AI will automate routine tasks, while roles requiring advanced expertise may be less affected.

In his conversation with the Financial Times, he also rejected OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s proposal for universal basic income as a solution to AI-driven job loss, arguing that it fails to address the importance of work for human dignity and personal fulfillment.

Hinton has consistently cautioned about the risks of unregulated AI, estimating there is a 10% to 20% probability that superintelligent AI could threaten humanity’s existence.

He categorizes AI’s dangers into two main areas: the inherent risks of the technology itself, and the potential for AI to be exploited by those with malicious intent.

Further Insights from Hinton on AI’s Future

In the same Financial Times interview, Hinton warned that AI could be used to develop biological weapons and criticized the Trump administration for its reluctance to enforce stricter AI regulations, noting that China appears to be taking these threats more seriously. Despite these concerns, he acknowledged that AI also holds tremendous promise and that its future remains uncertain.

“We truly don’t know what lies ahead, and anyone claiming otherwise is being unrealistic,” Hinton said. “We’re witnessing a pivotal moment in history, which could turn out to be incredibly positive or negative. While we can speculate, the status quo is unlikely to persist.”

Hinton also shared how he personally uses AI, mentioning that OpenAI’s ChatGPT is his preferred tool, mainly for research purposes. He humorously recounted that an ex-girlfriend once used ChatGPT to articulate her grievances during their breakup, but he wasn’t particularly affected by it, joking, “I found someone I liked more—such is life.”

He clarified the reasons behind his departure from Google in 2023. Contrary to media reports suggesting he left to speak more openly about AI’s dangers, Hinton explained that he retired at age 75 because he could no longer program as effectively and wanted to enjoy more leisure time, including catching up on shows on Netflix. He added, “After working hard for 55 years, I felt it was time to retire. Since I was leaving anyway, I decided to speak out about the risks.”

This article was previously published on Fortune.com on September 6, 2025.

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This article originally appeared on Fortune.com.