Geoffrey Hinton Predicts Google Will Overtake OpenAI in AI Race

Geoffrey Hinton, often referred to as the “Godfather of AI,” has expressed confidence that Google is poised to surpass OpenAI in the race for artificial intelligence supremacy. In an interview with Business Insider, Hinton remarked on Google’s recent advancements, stating, “I think it’s actually more surprising than it’s taken this long for Google to overtake OpenAI.”

Hinton, a professor emeritus at the University of Toronto and a former researcher at Google Brain, highlighted Google’s recent successes, particularly the launch of its AI models Gemini 3 and Nano Banana Pro. These releases have garnered significant attention in the tech community, with some analysts suggesting that they may position Google ahead of OpenAI’s GPT-5.

Google’s Rise in AI Innovation

This shift comes three years after Google reportedly declared a “code red” following the launch of ChatGPT, which had a transformative impact on the AI landscape. Hinton noted that recent developments suggest it is now OpenAI that is facing increased pressure. “I think that right now they’re beginning to overtake it,” he said, referring to Google’s competitive edge over OpenAI.

In addition to its successful model launches, Google’s stock saw a boost with reports indicating the company may be finalizing a billion-dollar deal to supply Meta with AI chips. Hinton emphasized that Google’s ability to produce its own chips provides a substantial advantage in the AI field. “Google has a lot of very good researchers and obviously a lot of data and a lot of data centers,” he stated. “My guess is Google will win.”

Hinton pointed out that Google had initially led the AI industry but had adopted a cautious approach following the backlash from the problematic launch of Microsoft’s Tay AI chatbot in 2016. This incident, which resulted in the chatbot posting offensive content, prompted Google to prioritize its reputation and proceed carefully with its AI offerings.

Google’s CEO, Sundar Pichai, has previously acknowledged the company’s hesitance to release its chatbot capabilities too soon. “We hadn’t quite gotten it to a level where you could put it out and people would’ve been okay with Google putting out that product,” he said. This caution was evident last year when Google paused its AI image generator due to complaints about historically inaccurate representations and other problematic outputs.

Honoring Hinton’s Legacy in AI Research

In a significant gesture, Google recently announced a donation of $10 million CAD to establish the Hinton Chair in Artificial Intelligence at the University of Toronto. The university has committed to matching this donation. Hinton, who left Google in 2023 due to concerns about the rapid development of AI, has consistently raised alarms regarding its societal implications, including the potential for job displacement and the risk of AI systems surpassing human intelligence.

In recognition of his contributions to the field, Hinton was awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics for his foundational work on neural networks. Google commended his impact, stating, “Geoff’s work on neural networks — spanning his time in academia and his decade here at Google — laid the foundation for modern AI.” The establishment of this chair aims to recruit scholars dedicated to pioneering research in artificial intelligence, reflecting Hinton’s vision of curiosity-driven inquiry.

As the race for AI supremacy intensifies, the developments at Google signal a turning point in the competitive landscape, one that may reshape the future of technology and its integration into daily life.