Report: 42% of CEOs Say AI Could Destroy Humanity in 5 to 10 Years

Many top business leaders are expressing serious concerns about the potential existential threat posed by artificial intelligence (AI) in the near future. According to survey results exclusively shared with CNN from the Yale CEO Summit, 42% of CEOs believe that AI has the potential to destroy humanity within the next five to ten years. This finding has raised alarm among experts, with Yale professor Jeffrey Sonnenfeld describing it as “dark and alarming.”

The survey, conducted by Yale’s Chief Executive Leadership Institute, included responses from 119 CEOs representing various industries such as retail, IT, pharmaceuticals, media, and manufacturing. The results revealed a significant divide among business leaders regarding the perceived risks and opportunities associated with AI.

While 34% of CEOs believed that AI could potentially bring about humanity’s destruction within a decade, and 8% believed it could happen within five years, 58% stated they were “not worried” and believed such a scenario could never occur. Furthermore, 42% of CEOs viewed the potential catastrophic effects of AI as overstated, while the remaining 58% disagreed.

These findings emerged shortly after a statement signed by AI industry leaders, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Google and Microsoft executives, warned of the risk of “extinction” posed by AI. They called for global action to address the dangers associated with AI, positioning it as a priority comparable to pandemics and nuclear war.

Geoffrey Hinton, considered the “godfather of AI,” recently expressed concern about the intelligence AI has attained, leading him to advocate for precautions to prevent AI from gaining control over humanity. Hinton emphasized the potential for manipulation and circumvention of restrictions if AI surpasses human intelligence.

While there is ongoing debate among business leaders regarding the risks of AI, the CEOs surveyed by Yale demonstrated consensus regarding its potential benefits. Only 13% believed the opportunities presented by AI were overstated, while 87% disagreed.

The CEOs identified three key industries where AI is expected to have the most transformative impact: healthcare (48%), professional services/IT (35%), and media/digital (11%).

Within the realm of AI discussions, Sonnenfeld categorized business leaders into five distinct groups. The first group, “curious creators,” sees no limitations to what can be done with AI. The “euphoric true believers” hold an optimistic view of technology, focusing solely on its positive aspects. “Commercial profiteers” are enthusiastically seeking to capitalize on AI, though they may lack a comprehensive understanding of the technology. The remaining two groups are “alarmist activists” and “global governance advocates,” both of which push for regulatory measures related to AI.

Sonnenfeld emphasized that these groups often engage in dialogue with their own perspectives, leading to a lack of consensus and mutual understanding. The complexity of AI and its potential implications underscore the ongoing efforts of industry leaders to comprehend the risks and rewards associated with this transformative technology.