OpenAI Chief Scientist Warns AI Could Begin Driving Its Own Evolution

OpenAI Chief Scientist Jakub Pachocki has warned that artificial intelligence is advancing so rapidly that society may be unprepared for the consequences.

In an essay titled “An Alien Mind,” Pachocki said increasingly capable machines are expected to play a growing role in developing future AI systems. This could create a self-improvement cycle that becomes difficult for humans to monitor or control.

He argued that AI development should be limited by confidence in its safety and called for stronger safeguards, independent auditing and international coordination.

Pachocki did not demand a complete halt to AI research. However, he said technology companies may need to slow development voluntarily when safety measures cannot keep pace, ensuring that humans remain involved in the improvement process and that the future stays under human control.