There is constant buzz in the tech world about how advances in Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) could reshape everything. AGI is expected to be so advanced that it could match human intelligence, capable of understanding, learning, and applying knowledge across a wide range of tasks. But alongside the excitement, there is growing fear that it could outpace human control and trigger massive disruptions, from job losses and security risks to even existential threats. However, Andrew Ng, founder of Google Brain, believes the expectations from the AGI are overhyped. He argues that the real power in the AI era won’t come from building AGI, but from learning how to use today’s AI tools effectively.
In a recent talk at Y Combinator, Andrew touched upon the misconceptions surrounding AI and addressed the hype head-on. “AGI has been overhyped,” he said. “For a long time, there’ll be many things humans can do that AI simply can’t.” He suggests people stay practical about AI instead of fearing a future ruled by superintelligent machines. “The people who are most powerful are the ones who can make computers do exactly what they want them to do,” he said.
When asked how individuals can stay relevant in a world increasingly run by intelligent systems, Andrew suggests that the key to staying relevant in the changing times is in learning how to use AI tools, and not necessarily building them from scratch. “People who know how to use AI to get computers to do what they want will be far more powerful than those who don’t.”
Andrew also dismissed the idea that AI might lead to human extinction or render all jobs obsolete as “just ridiculous.” “It’s a hype narrative that’s made certain businesses look more powerful and helped them raise money,” he added.
Andrew also criticised companies that exaggerate the capabilities of their technology. “AI is so powerful, soon no one will have a job anymore—just not true,” he said. “Or, we’re so powerful that by training a new model we’ll casually wipe out thousands of start-ups. That’s just not true either.”
He says impact on AI depends on how it is used
Explaining AI’s real impact, Andrew compared it to electricity. He described AI as a neutral tool—its effect depends entirely on how it’s used. “AI is neither safe nor unsafe. It’s how you apply it that makes it so,” he explained. “Like electricity, there are countless ways to use it for good—and some ways it can be harmful. I often think about responsible AI.”
Andrew Ng urges people to shift their focus away from the overblown promise of AGI and instead learn how to use current AI tools to solve real-world problems. He believes the most powerful individuals in the AI era will be those who can skillfully direct computers to do what they need and not those chasing speculative breakthroughs.
He encourages aspiring founders and developers to focus on building practical, useful products that people actually want, to stay current with the latest AI developments, and to prioritise the responsible use of AI over fear-driven narratives about safety.
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