A former Google DeepMind safety researcher explains the frightening difference between AI and other threats like nuclear war and asteroids
Former Google DeepMind researcher Ramana Kumar explains that superintelligent AI poses a unique threat because it can actively anticipate and counter human attempts to control it. This perspective adds to growing concerns from experts like Geoffrey Hinton regarding the existential risks of AI.
Why it matters
Understanding the adversarial nature of potential superintelligent AI is critical for developing effective safety protocols and global policy frameworks.
KATERYNA KON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images Geoffrey Hinton says a 10% chance AI causes human extinction is not an 'unreasonable' belief. Ramana Kumar explains what distinguishes superintelligent AI from other modern threats like war. The issue, he said, is that AI's capabilities are advancing faster than humans can control. Climate change can't anticipate our next move. An asteroid can't dodge us. And while humans can be adversaries in a nuclear war, the fallout that follows isn't trying to outsmart anyone. For Business Insider's video series " AI Architects ," Ramana Kumar told Business Insider in May 2025 that superintelligent AI could be different. We reconnected with him on Thursday as fresh warnings about AI risk drew new attention to that conversation. Kumar said he does not see AI risk as replacing concerns about climate change, nuclear war, or other catastrophes.
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