Google AI chief says AGI is on the horizon, raising hopes and concerns
Google AI chief says AGI is on the horizon, raising hopes and concerns
Publish Date: 2026-05-20 04:02:00
Source Domain: unb.com.bd
- Demis Hassabis, head of Google DeepMind, claims artificial general intelligence (AGI) is now nearing, suggesting a significant AI breakthrough might occur sooner than anticipated.
- AGI refers to AI systems capable of matching or surpassing human abilities in nearly all cognitive tasks, in contrast to current AI systems that focus on specific tasks.
- Hassabis hinted that AGI could emerge within five to eight years, although he did not provide a precise timeline during his speech at Google I/O.
- At the conference, Google showcased AI tools designed for tasks like managing online shopping, tasks, and functioning as personal assistants.
- Some experts welcomed Hassabis’ optimism but highlighted that the definition and arrival of AGI remain debated, with opinions ranging from it still being three to four years away to 10 to 15 years away.
- AGI has been described as a marketing concept in Silicon Valley, where ambitious promises often do not correspond to immediate practical results.
- Despite the debate, AI is already transforming scientific research and helping in predicting protein structures, enhancing medical imaging, and accelerating drug discovery.
- Advanced AI has the potential to revolutionize medicine by analyzing vast biological and medical data much faster than humans, thus accelerating the development of new cancer treatments and advancing research on aging to potentially extend human life.
- Overall, experts agree rapid progress in AI will likely reshape science, medicine, and society in the coming decades.
