Urgent research needed to tackle AI threats, says Google AI boss

BBC News - WorldCenterEN 3 min read 100% complete February 20, 2026 at 11:32 AM

AI Summary

medium article 3 min

Google DeepMind's CEO, Sir Demis Hassabis, stated at the AI Impact Summit in Delhi that urgent research is needed to address the threats posed by artificial intelligence. He highlighted the need for smart regulation to mitigate risks like misuse by malicious actors and the potential loss of control over increasingly powerful AI systems. While many leaders at the summit called for global AI governance, the US rejected this approach. Sam Altman of OpenAI echoed the call for urgent regulation, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized international collaboration. Sir Demis noted that the US and the West currently hold a slight lead over China in AI development, but this advantage may be short-lived. The summit, attended by delegates from over 100 countries, including Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy representing the UK, focused on balancing AI's benefits with ensuring its safety and security.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

UK 40% BBC News 40% David Lammy ×250% Narendra Modi 50% China ×260% Michael Kratsios ×260% OpenAI 60% Sam Altman 60% United States ×370% AI Impact Summit ×270% Google DeepMind ×280% Demis Hassabis ×690%

Keywords

artificial intelligence 100% ai threats 90% ai regulation 80% ai impact summit 70% global governance 70% ai development 60% autonomous systems 60% security and safety 50% technology 50% china 40%