No, AI systems cannot feel self-aware or conscious in any way, says Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis

Google DeepMind co-founder and CEO, Demis Hassabis, has said that AI systems cannot feel self-aware or conscious in any way. In a recent interview, he warned that as AI becomes more autonomous, keeping these systems safe, aligned, and firmly under human control is essential for long-term success. Hassabis argues that instilling ethics in AI must be approached with the same care and intentionality as raising a child. Though technical progress continues to grow, current AI models still lack any genuine subjective awareness or self-experience. With stakes rising alongside AI’s growing capabilities, the Nobel Prize awardee emphasises that ethical alignment and governance must keep pace with innovation.

What Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis said about AI consciousness