Story perspectives

DeepMind's Hassabis Advocates Global AI Ethics and Safety

4/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

Demis Hassabis, co-founder of Google DeepMind, urges AI development beyond Silicon Valley and a global view on AI ethics at a London event.
He links his childhood mantra "doing your best" to his work ethic in AI.
He says AI can address disease and climate change, while he prioritizes safety amid advances toward general intelligence.
Sebastian Mallaby expresses confidence in Hassabis's values and commitment to ensuring AI benefits society.

History

Historical Context

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), established by the European Union in 2016, set a precedent for data privacy and ethical standards in technology. This regulation spurred global discussions on AI ethics, leading to initiatives like the Global Partnership on AI, launched in June 2020, which emphasizes responsible AI development aligned with human rights and democratic values, reflecting a growing need for international cooperation in technology governance.

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Story summary

Demis Hassabis, co-founder of Google DeepMind, urges AI development beyond Silicon Valley and a global view on AI ethics at a London event.
He links his childhood mantra "doing your best" to his work ethic in AI.
He says AI can address disease and climate change, while he prioritizes safety amid advances toward general intelligence.
Sebastian Mallaby expresses confidence in Hassabis's values and commitment to ensuring AI benefits society.

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