Gaming for Good: AI Pioneer Champions Creativity in Young Minds

Sir Demis Hassabis

Sir Demis Hassabis, a leading figure in artificial intelligence (AI) and recent recipient of a knighthood, has a surprising message for parents worried about their children's gaming habits: encourage it! In a BBC interview, Sir Demis argues that video games, when approached creatively, can be a powerful tool for fostering innovation in young minds.

Sir Demis, the co-founder and CEO of DeepMind, a Google subsidiary renowned for its AI advancements, credits his own success to his early experiences with chess and video games. He highlights the importance of going beyond mere play, advocating for children to explore the creative aspects of gaming, such as programming and game design.

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"It's important to feed the creative part, not just playing them [games]," he emphasizes. Sir Demis believes that nurturing a passion for technology, coupled with creative exploration, can equip youngsters with the adaptability needed to thrive in our rapidly evolving world.

His own life exemplifies this philosophy. A chess prodigy in his youth, Sir Demis designed and programmed a best-selling video game, "Theme Park," during his teenage years.

This blend of creative spark and technical skill continued as he pursued a PhD in neuroscience at Cambridge University before co-founding DeepMind, which was later acquired by Google.

Views

Sir Demis views his knighthood as a recognition of his contributions to the field of AI and its impact on British life. He emphasizes the crucial role DeepMind played in "seeding the whole AI field and the AI industry."

While acknowledging concerns about the potential misuse of AI in areas like "deepfake" videos, Sir Demis remains optimistic.

He differentiates his work from figures like Robert Oppenheimer, the creator of the atomic bomb. Sir Demis emphasizes that his generation of scientists is keenly aware of the potential dangers of powerful technology and is committed to developing AI responsibly.

Positive Changes

Looking ahead, Sir Demis sees AI as a force for positive change with a far greater impact than nuclear power. He encourages parents to embrace the creative potential of video games, fostering a new generation of innovators equipped to navigate the exciting, and ever-changing, world of AI.