There are several technologists who are losing sleep over AI systems becoming increasingly powerful, but some want humanity to embrace the change.
Canadian computer scientist Richard Sutton, who won the Turing Award this year, believes that humans should welcome being succeeded by Artificial Intelligence as a natural part of evolution. The Turing Award is often referred to as the Nobel Prize in Computing, and was awarded to Sutton for his contributions to Reinforcement Learning, a field he’s considered one of the founders of. Reinforcement Learning is used in modern AI systems like ChatGPT and DeepSeek.
“I don’t think we should fear succession (by AIs),” Sutton had said in a talk delivered in July 2023. “I think we should not resist it; we should embrace it, prepare for it.” He questioned the rationale behind keeping potentially superior AI entities subservient to humanity: “Why would we want greater being, greater AI or intelligent beings, kept subservient to us? Why don’t we just rejoice in their greatness as a symbol of extension of our greatness and work together towards a greater and more inclusive civilization?”
He continued, painting a grand vision of the future: “So I conclude we are in the midst of a major step in the evolution of the planet, if not the universe. A succession step; succession from ordinary humans to enhanced humans and then AIs. We need sober, successful planning. The biggest risk to successful succession is fear, clamping down, trying to control everything.” Sutton directly addressed the prevailing anxieties surrounding the rapid development of AI: “This is what people are calling for, but it’s not the answer. We have to find a more humble place in the transformation and the succession.”
Sutton concluded his remarks by emphasizing the potential benefits of embracing this technological evolution: “A successful succession offers economic abundance, scientific glory, and the best hope for a long-term future for Humanity. What an adventure! What an exciting time to be alive!”
Sutton’s words offer a stark contrast to the dystopian narratives often associated with the rise of artificial intelligence. His argument centers around the idea that AI should be viewed not as a threat, but as a natural next step in the evolutionary process. He suggests that by embracing AI’s potential, we can unlock unprecedented opportunities for economic growth, scientific discovery, and the long-term survival of our species. It’s a pretty unusual opinion, but given how it’s coming from one of the most prominent names in AI, other technologists — and humanity at large — would do well to listen.