Geoffrey Hinton, widely known as the "Godfather of AI" and winner of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics for his groundbreaking work on neural networks, has issued a stark warning: Artificial intelligence could lead to mass unemployment, particularly among white-collar and cognitive workers.

Axar.az reports that, according to Hinton, routine intellectual tasks, such as those performed daily by office employees, are especially vulnerable to automation.

“A single AI system will soon be capable of doing the work of ten people,” he said.

By contrast, Hinton believes manual jobs like plumbing are far less at risk. AI, he explained, is still far from mastering the physical dexterity and practical skills required for hands-on work. As such, physically demanding occupations may remain secure for the foreseeable future.

He also challenged the popular notion that AI will create as many jobs as it eliminates. If machines can perform the majority of intellectual labor, Hinton warned, only a small number of people with highly specialized skills may be able to find employment in the future.

Hinton also criticized a recent restructuring plan by OpenAI, which aims to shift the company's business model to a for-profit entity in order to attract more investors. While the move has drawn praise from some in the tech industry, it has also sparked backlash.

Alongside a growing group of critics — including former OpenAI employees and entrepreneur Elon Musk — Hinton expressed concern that this shift could dilute the company’s original mission to serve the public good, instead prioritizing investor profits. Musk, now a direct competitor through his startup xAI, has even filed a lawsuit against OpenAI on these grounds.

In closing, Hinton cautioned that if current trends continue, AI could evolve from a tool designed to serve humanity into a force that accelerates inequality, displaces millions of workers, and prioritizes profit over progress.