Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis says artificial general intelligence (AGI) may arrive soon and that society has little time to prepare. In remarks reported by multiple outlets, Hassabis frames current advances in AI as bringing humanity toward what he describes as the “foothills of the singularity,” implying a rapid transition toward more capable systems. He characterizes AGI as being only a few years away, and he argues that readiness efforts—such as governance, safety planning, and other preparations—need to accelerate because the timeline for development is shorter than many people expect.
While the specific phrasing varies across reports, both accounts emphasize Hassabis’s view that the window to plan is limited. The coverage is focused on his public comments about timing rather than presenting new technical evidence or detailed policy proposals. Overall, the reports convey a consistent message: Hassabis expects AGI to be near-term and believes organizations and governments should respond more quickly to potential impacts.
