David Gross, Nobel Prize winner in Physics: “It will be very difficult to resist letting AI make decisions because it acts so quickly”

At 85, theoretical physicist David Gross continues to reflect on some of the most consequential challenges facing humanity. Internationally recognized for his groundbreaking contributions to particle physics, the American scientist has recently drawn attention with comments that extend far beyond laboratories and mathematical equations.

In an interview with Live Science, Gross said that the chances of a person living another 50 years are “very small.” Rather than making a purely pessimistic prediction, the Nobel laureate bases his assessment on probability calculations tied to one of the international community’s greatest concerns: the possibility of a large-scale nuclear war.

According to Gross, the annual risk of a nuclear conflict may currently be around 2%. When that probability is compounded over several decades, it significantly reduces the odds of long-term global survival. In his view, the situation is even more alarming than it was during some of the most dangerous periods of the Cold War.

The physicist who helped explain how matter works

Born in Washington, D.C., in 1941, David Gross is one of the most influential figures in modern physics. He is best known for co-discovering asymptotic freedom, a fundamental property that explains the behavior of quarks, the elementary particles that make up protons and neutrons.

Developed alongside physicists Frank Wilczek and H. David Politzer in the 1970s, this breakthrough dramatically advanced scientists’ understanding of the strong nuclear force, one of the four fundamental forces of nature.

The significance of their work was recognized in 2004 when Gross, Wilczek, and Politzer were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics. Throughout his career, Gross has also played a leading role in the development of string theory and the ongoing search for a unified theory capable of explaining the fundamental laws of the universe.

Artificial intelligence enters the discussion

Another issue that deeply concerns the Nobel laureate is the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence. Gross believes these systems can process information and respond much faster than humans in certain situations, creating a strong incentive for governments and organizations to delegate increasingly important decisions to automated systems.

“It’s going to be very hard to resist making AI make decisions because it acts so fast,” Gross warned. His primary concern is the use of AI in high-stakes areas such as national defense and crisis management, where a single flawed decision could have devastating consequences.

For Gross, the greatest challenge is no longer technological but human. After spending a lifetime studying the laws that govern the universe, he believes humanity’s future will depend largely on society’s ability to manage scientific progress responsibly and ensure that increasingly powerful technologies remain under human control.

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