Dex Hunter-Torricke: 'Almost Nothing' in Proposals Will Genuinely Slow AI Development

UPDATED: Sep 16, 2026 14:48 ISTFormer Google DeepMind communications head Dex Hunter-Torricke has warned about the growing risks of artificial intelligence, pointing out that proposals to slow down AI development fail to address underlying issues. Speaking on the ongoing debate surrounding AI safety and regulation, Hunter-Torricke stated that "there is almost nothing in those proposals which genuinely will slow down development of AI." He noted that AI companies maintain extraordinary incentives to continue building models and racing against competitors. He highlighted that rising public distrust, employee resignations, and concerns over regulatory backlash have pushed Western AI labs into a position where they "feel they need to do something or at least pretend to do something." Read MoreVIDEOS FROM OTHER SECTIONSLATEST VIDEOSBagalkote Namma Clinic Scam: Karnataka MLA's Niece Sacked Over Dual Pay Row, Faces Official InquiryAn official inquiry has been launched in Karnataka after Dr. Ankita Yargal, the niece of Bagalkote MLA Umesh Natti, was accused of drawing a salary of over 70,000 rupees as a medical officer at the Namma Clinic in Bagalkote while simultaneously pursuing a full-time post-graduate medical course at a private medical college. A notice issued by Bagalkote Zilla Panchayat CEO Gajanan Bale alleged that she remained absent from the clinic between March and September 2026, leaving patients without a medical officer while continuing to receive honorarium. Dr. Yargal failed to attend the initial inquiry and has been instructed to appear on 18 September with written explanations and relevant documents. Authorities warned of salary recovery and disciplinary action through the Karnataka Medical Council and the National Medical Commission. Meanwhile, District Health Officer Rajkumar Yargal has removed her from duty.PM Modi Schoolmate Gets Land Back After Meeting Prime Minister Over DisputeAn 81-year-old schoolmate of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Asgarali Vora, has reclaimed his land in Mumbai's Bhayander after seeking the Prime Minister's intervention. Vora, who studied with Modi at BN School in Vadnagar, Gujarat, had purchased 2,810 square metres of land in 1989. The plot was taken over in 2011 by construction firms linked to BJP MLA Narendra Mehta. Following years of court cases and complaints yielding little progress, Vora met Prime Minister Modi on 8 September requesting an inquiry. Days after the meeting, the construction company confirmed the matter was settled and returned the prime property to Vora.Tamil Nadu Political Row: Opposition Attacks CM Over London Visit Amid Multiple Protests and RaidsA major political row has erupted in Tamil Nadu amid widespread protests over power outages, issues faced by Pattinampakkam fishermen, shortages of Aavin milk, and law and order concerns including a double murder in Ramanathapuram. Raids are simultaneously underway in Chennai and Trichy at properties linked to former minister Anbil Mahesh over allegations of collecting close to 100 crore rupees from private school owners for permanent recognition. The opposition has criticised the Chief Minister's London visit and termed the ongoing raids as a diversionary tactic to cover administrative inefficiency.Bengaluru Footpath Repaired By CEO For ₹2,700 Sparks Debate On Civic AccountabilityA Bengaluru CEO took civic repairs into his own hands after repeated complaints regarding a damaged footpath in Koramangala yielded no action from authorities. Having raised tickets on the civic portal, emailed authorities, and contacted helplines without receiving an active resolution, he spent 2,700 rupees from his personal funds to construct a cement ramp to facilitate easier movement for wheelchair users and strollers. The incident has sparked debate across the city regarding civic infrastructure management and citizen participation. Reacting to the development, Karnataka Minister Krishna Byre Gowda acknowledged that maintaining infrastructure remains the primary responsibility of the government while noting the administrative scale and road prioritisation challenges across the city.