Recently, Demis Hassabis, the CEO of Google DeepMind, expressed his belief that artificial intelligence can help humans become less selfish. However, he has proposed an entirely different idea centered on creating a next-generation email assistant. During his speech at the South by Southwest (SXSW) London festival, he emphasized the need for an improved email system, suggesting that a proper AI tool could effectively replace existing solutions.

Hassabis envisions an AI email assistant that can respond to messages in the user’s own style, as well as make simpler decisions autonomously. While he acknowledges the potential of AI, he also cautioned that it is “overhyped in the short term.” He believes that this email assistant could serve as a significant milestone toward broader advancements in AI technology.

The proposed tool aims to understand typical emails and generate replies that reflect the user’s tone, although specific examples of the decisions it could make were not provided. In addition to discussing the email assistant, Hassabis touched upon the concept of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). AGI refers to AI capable of performing a wide range of tasks and making decisions autonomously, potentially surpassing human capabilities.

He highlighted the importance of collaboration between leading AI nations like the U.S. and China to ensure the technology’s development is safe and beneficial for humanity. As AI continues to advance rapidly, it presents opportunities that could greatly impact various aspects of life, particularly in the realm of AGI. The trajectory of this technology remains to be seen, but the potential it holds is undeniably significant.