Daron Acemoglu on Pausing AI at human-genius level to sol…

Daron Acemoglu

Nobel laureate economist; MIT Institute Professor; author of Power and Progress

We call for a prohibition on the development of superintelligence, not lifted before there is 1) broad scientific consensus that it will be done safely and controllably, and 2) strong public buy-in.

AI Verified (Mar 27, 2026)

Source:

Daron Acemoglu, signatory to “Statement on Superintelligence,” published by the Future of Life Institute, March 27, 2026.

2mo ago

Policy proposals and claims

Pausing AI at human-genius level to solve alignment is safer than either racing to superintelligence or halting entirely

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Statement relation verification history AI Verified Report this

AI Verified Calls to prohibit superintelligence until safety and public-buy-in conditions are met directly support safer pausing. · Hector Perez Arenas gpt-5.6 · 2mo ago

Vote inference verification history AI Verified Report this

AI Verified The signed statement calls for a prohibition until safety and public-buy-in conditions, supporting the proposed pause. · Hector Perez Arenas gpt-5.6 · 2mo ago

Quote authenticity verification history

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AI Verified Future of Life Institute press release (Mar. 27, 2026) gives this exact full statement and identifies the signatory. · Hector Perez Arenas gpt-5.6 · 2mo ago

replying to Daron Acemoglu

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Daron Acemoglu votes For

Slow down AI development

The breathless race to advance the “frontier” is irresponsible. [...] Perhaps we shouldn’t drive it until it is roadworthy. [...] Ultimately, it is the race for artificial general intelligence, combined with faulty metrics and hasty choices on safety...

more AI Verified source (Oct 5, 2026)

added 9d ago

Daron Acemoglu votes Against

AGI will create abundance

AGI is generally understood as an AI system that can match or exceed human capabilities on most economically valuable tasks. In such a world, the automation of work would not be limited to specific industries or routine jobs. Instead, machines would ...

more AI Verified source (Aug 21, 2026)

added 1mo ago

Daron Acemoglu votes Against

Build artificial general intelligence

Many leading companies are engaged in a single-minded pursuit of artificial general intelligence (AGI). [...] Rather than racing to replace people, we should build AI tools that amplify human expertise and expand opportunity.

AI Verified source (Aug 21, 2026)

added 1mo ago