Geoffrey Hinton Slams Donald Trump Over AI Terminology and Self-Regulation

In an interview with *The Guardian* published on a Tuesday, Geoffrey Hinton—winner of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics and widely regarded as the “godfather of AI”—called President Donald Trump a “corrupt, senile felon” and said the president “understands almost nothing” about artificial intelligence. Hinton objected to Trump’s recent effort to rebrand AI as “superintelligence,” arguing that the term has a precise scientific definition that cannot be altered by political rhetoric. He also warned that the president’s willingness to let technology firms police themselves mirrors the failed self-regulation of tobacco, oil and asbestos industries.

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Trump has repeatedly asserted that the United States does not need formal safeguards for AI. He further suggested that the AI industry is capable of regulating itself without government intervention.

Common Dreams

Hinton has previously warned that there is a “10% to 20% chance” that advanced AI could pose an extinction-level threat in the coming decades, describing the probability as a serious risk even if its exact magnitude is uncertain. In October 2026, roughly 400 AI researchers signed an open letter calling for an international regulatory body, underscoring growing concern within the scientific community.

The Guardian

Huang characterized the predictions as “hurtful” and argued that they lack empirical support.

The Guardian

• “Superintelligence means smarter than people, and has been around for at least 20 years. It’s got a very clear meaning,” — Geoffrey Hinton, pioneering computer scientist — Geoffrey Hinton, pioneering computer scientist

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• “That [figure] is not grounded on science, is not grounded on research. Just because it comes from a scientist doesn’t make it scientific. Those predictions are hurtful,” — Jensen Huang, nvidia CEO — Jensen Huang, Nvidia CEO

The Guardian

• “This used to be the domain of science fiction. You’re going to have AI agents and they’re gonna go rogue. Oh, come off it. And they’ll go rogue and they’re going to learn how to communicate with each other, even though we didn’t think there was a way. Oh, come off it!” — Geoffrey Hinton, pioneering computer scientist — Geoffrey Hinton, pioneering computer scientist

The Guardian

• “The only control or ‘guardrails’ that AI needs is a STRONG AND SMART (High IQ!) PRESIDENT,” — Donald Trump, swipe at president — Donald Trump, former U.S. president

Common Dreams

Hinton and the coalition of scientists who signed the open letter have urged governments to convene an international forum on AI safety within the next few months. No specific date has been announced, but the call for coordinated regulation is expected to shape upcoming congressional hearings on AI policy.

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