DeepMind Technologies CEO Demis Hassabis. File
| Photo Credit: PTI
Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis on Wednesday (February 18, 2026) struck a word of “cautious optimism” saying Artificial Intelligence (AI) is about to rework science and medication however asserted that managing its societal challenges would require worldwide dialogue and cooperation.
Addressing a packed corridor at India AI Impact Summit, Mr. Hassabis mentioned the world is at a “threshold moment”, with Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) doubtlessly on the horizon inside the subsequent 5 to eight years, making the the occasion in New Delhi significantly well timed as extra autonomous and agentic AI programs start to emerge.
“My message is one of, I would say, cautious optimism. So I think we’re on the cusp of an absolutely incredible transformation that’s going to bring incredible benefits in science and medicine specifically, is what I’m passionate about, and I can see revolutionising the way we deal with human health,” he mentioned.
Mr. Hassabis famous many wonderful firms, instruments and merchandise are constructing on prime of AI programs.
“But then also, I would just add a note of caution, which is, I think we will solve these technical issues given enough time and enough brain power on it. I believe in human ingenuity, and if the best minds work towards that, I think it will solve the technical risks,” he mentioned.
He added that the trouble have to be undertaken internationally on societal challenges posed by AI, one thing Mr. Hassabis mentioned may finally show extra advanced than the technical elements.
“…but we also need to do this internationally, so the societal challenges of that may actually end up being the harder problem than the technical ones,” he mentioned.
He famous that the alternatives are extraordinary, particularly in advancing science, medication, drug discovery, materials science and local weather motion by programs reminiscent of ‘AlphaFold’.
Describing AI as some of the transformative applied sciences in human historical past, he burdened that its affect can be global and throughout borders, underscoring the need for worldwide dialogue and cooperation.
He mentioned global AI summits, starting within the U.Okay. and persevering with by Paris, Seoul and now India, play an important function in bringing collectively world leaders and expertise specialists to guarantee AI’s advantages are broadly shared whereas mitigating its dangers.
Published – February 18, 2026 01:26 pm IST