Hinton warns AI could hit financial systems and power grids
The Nobel laureate said malicious use of AI could cause damage beyond control and criticised tech leaders for putting competition before safety.
Geoffrey Hinton, the computer scientist and Nobel laureate, warned that AI could be misused in large-scale incidents targeting the global financial system and electricity infrastructure, in remarks reported by TechRadar on November 4, 2026. He said that if the technology falls into the hands of malicious actors, the scale of the damage could exceed control.
Hinton said the coming year could be a turning point, pointing to the possibility of serious incidents such as attacks on financial systems involving AI or disruptions to power generation. He compared such an event to the 1979 partial meltdown at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant.
He also criticised major AI companies for pushing development forward without sufficiently weighing the risks, in order to stay ahead of competitors. Hinton named Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk and Sam Altman, saying they prioritise money despite knowing the dangers.
Hinton stressed that he is not an AI pessimist and that the technology could be used to build a better future. Society, he said, still holds control, and action is possible with enormous effort.
Policy backdrop
US President Donald Trump has backed self-regulation by AI companies while arguing the US must keep developing the technology to maintain its advantage in competition with China. According to the article, cyberattacks exploiting AI have been occurring repeatedly.
Quick answers
What did Geoffrey Hinton warn AI could be used for?
He warned it could be misused in large-scale incidents targeting the global financial system and electricity infrastructure.
Who did Hinton criticise?
He criticised major AI companies for prioritising competition over risk management, naming Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk and Sam Altman.
Is Hinton an AI pessimist?
He said he is not, and that AI could be used to build a better future.