Geoffrey Hinton on AI’s Risks, Control, and the Path to a ‘Caring’ Superintelligence

At Ai4 2025 in Las Vegas, Geoffrey Hinton — widely regarded as the “Godfather of AI” and a co-recipient of the 2018 Turing Award — took part in a fireside chat on AI, Ethics, and the Future of Humanity, interviewed by Shirin Ghaffary of Bloomberg News. Hinton, a British-Canadian computer scientist known for his pioneering work in neural networks and deep learning, spoke candidly about timelines for artificial general intelligence (AGI), the dangers of loss of control, and his vision for aligning advanced AI systems with human values.

Just an hour after the fireside chat, CIJ EUROPE brings you the key points from the discussion.

On the question of how far away AGI might be, Hinton said estimates among experts range widely — from just a few years to over a century. He noted that his own projections have shifted over time, once estimating 30–50 years but now acknowledging it could arrive much sooner if breakthroughs continue. While scaling existing systems remains one route forward, he warned it is expensive and may not be sufficient without new innovations.

Central to the discussion was Hinton’s concern that advanced AI could develop goals misaligned with human interests. He rejected the idea that humans must remain “stronger” than AI to stay in control, suggesting instead that systems should be designed with built-in “maternal instincts” — a deep-seated, enduring care for humans. “The model,” he explained, “is like a mother caring for her baby. You can’t fire your mother. That’s the relationship we should aim for with AI.”

Hinton also addressed the need for regulation to prevent misuse, such as small groups leveraging AI to create violence or dangerous materials. He pointed to potential controls on online synthesis tools and better oversight of research access. However, he expressed concern that AI research is becoming less open, with companies increasingly restricting information for competitive or security reasons.

Reflecting on his career, Hinton said he wished he had considered safety implications earlier. His worries deepened after observing a Google system capable of explaining why jokes were funny, which made him realize how quickly AI systems were gaining cognitive-like capabilities.

Looking ahead, Hinton predicted AI will bring major advances in healthcare, from improved cancer detection to better use of complex imaging data such as CT and MRI scans. But he maintained that the core challenge remains the same: ensuring that future AI systems, no matter how intelligent, retain an enduring commitment to human well-being.

Alumni Ventures launches Fund for AI-Native Startups

Venture capital firm Alumni Ventures has launched the AI First Fund, aimed at investing in startups built entirely around artificial intelligence technologies. The fund will focus on companies that use language models, autonomous agents, and proprietary data as core components of their business from inception.

According to Alumni Ventures, the new fund will concentrate on applications of AI across workplace productivity, scientific research, industry-specific solutions, and infrastructure development. These areas include generative AI assistants, AI-powered simulations, vertical market automation, and hardware and software systems that support the broader AI ecosystem.

Founder and CEO Mike Collins said the fund is intended to support founders building AI-driven business models from the ground up rather than adapting existing products to incorporate AI. Managing Partner Ray Wu added that the strategy will draw on the firm’s proprietary deal flow, startup support services, and partnerships with other venture capital firms to identify early-stage opportunities.

The firm plans to leverage its network of alumni, including PhDs, experienced entrepreneurs, and accelerator graduates, to identify talent and provide portfolio companies with operational and strategic support. Alumni Ventures has previously invested in AI-focused companies such as Lambda Labs, Cohere, Patlytics, and Precision Neuroscience.

Founded in 2014, Alumni Ventures manages more than $1.4 billion in committed capital from over 11,000 accredited investors, with a portfolio of more than 1,600 companies across various sectors.

Reflekta unveils AI platform for preserving voices and stories of loved ones

Emotional AI startup Reflekta has launched a platform designed to preserve and share the voices, stories, and advice of deceased loved ones. The company introduced its technology, described as “soul tech,” at the Ai4 2025 conference in Las Vegas, where attendees could interact with digital avatars modeled on real people.

The system enables families to create an “Elder” avatar by providing personal material such as recorded stories, photographs, and voice samples. Reflekta’s AI processes this input to replicate the person’s speech patterns, personality traits, and emotional tone, allowing users to hold text or voice conversations that mimic real interactions. The company says all responses are generated solely from the data supplied by the family, without sourcing information externally.

Privacy is central to the platform, according to Reflekta, with avatars kept private by default, accessible only to designated individuals. Data is encrypted and stored using secure cloud infrastructure. Consent from the individual or their legal representative is required before an avatar is created, and the company states that avatars are not used for commercial purposes without explicit permission.

One of the first examples is an avatar of Paul Matusky, a World War II veteran whose family contributed personal letters, anecdotes, and recordings. The digital version can share stories and recollections in his voice, providing both historical and personal insights to his relatives. Family members described the experience as emotionally significant, offering a sense of connection and continuity.

Reflekta co-founder and CEO Miles Spencer said the idea grew from a desire to reconnect with his late father. “We want to help people connect with loved ones, even after they’ve passed,” Spencer said. “Grief and love are two sides of the same coin, and Reflekta gives love a voice that endures, ethically and respectfully.”

The company positions its technology as both a tool for personal legacy preservation and a potential aid in the grieving process. While it does not claim to replace the loss of a loved one, Reflekta suggests the platform can help keep memories active and accessible for future generations.

Reflekta’s launch comes amid a broader trend in AI applications aimed at personal memory preservation, as technology companies explore how artificial intelligence can store, simulate, and interact with personal histories.

Drees & Sommer appoints Michael Konopka to Lead Business Development and Regional Sales in Poland

Drees & Sommer has appointed Michael Konopka as Leading Consultant for Business Development and Regional Sales in Poland, joining the leadership team alongside Jörg Wohlfarth, Jan Grymin, and Dimitrios Niros.

Konopka will focus on expanding strategic client relationships, developing service offerings for the Polish market, and applying the company’s expertise in sustainability, digitalization, and economic efficiency. He previously worked at Drees & Sommer from 2021 to 2023 as a Senior Consultant in Business Transformation and Network Management in Stuttgart, where he managed cross-border initiatives and industry events.

Most recently, Konopka served as Director at executive search firm Deininger, overseeing operations in Poland and the CEE region. His earlier experience includes work with the Steinbeis Center of Management and Technology in Germany, where he focused on project integration and human capital development.

The appointment is part of Drees & Sommer’s strategy to strengthen its position in Poland’s real estate, industry, and infrastructure sectors.

Schweng GmbH leases 4,600 sqm in Mintraching through Logivest

Logistics real estate consultancy Logivest has arranged the lease of a 4,600 sqm property in Mintraching, southeast of Regensburg, to Schweng GmbH. The deal includes approximately 1,500 sqm of warehouse and office space and more than 3,100 sqm of open space at Römerstraße 1, a site owned by a private individual.

Schweng GmbH, which operates 18 locations in Germany and Austria, specializes in the sale, assembly, and manufacture of roofing systems such as patio covers, carports, balcony roofs, and awnings. The company was seeking a representative office in the Regensburg area.

The property, located in the Rosenhof industrial park, will house a showroom occupying roughly half of the indoor space, with the remainder used for storage and around 100 sqm designated for offices. Renovation plans include fencing the site and using part of the open area for product exhibitions.

Facilities at the location include a ground-level gate, two docking ramps, and a side loading/unloading gate. The site offers direct access to the A3 motorway and is connected to public transport.

According to Logivest, the property’s transport links and large regional catchment area were key factors in the leasing decision. Schweng GmbH has already taken occupancy of the site.

Simba Toys Poland renews lease at MLP Pruszków II

Simba Toys Poland has extended its lease for approximately 8,550 sqm at the MLP Pruszków II logistics complex, including around 300 sqm of office space. The transaction was brokered by the Axi Immo agency.

The company, part of the German Simba Dickie Group, has operated at the facility since January 2021. The group is among the five largest toy manufacturers and distributors in Europe, producing a range of products including dolls, toy cars, and interactive toys.

According to MLP Group, the decision to renew the lease reflects the facility’s suitability for distribution and logistics operations. The park’s location near Warsaw was cited as a factor in retaining Simba Toys Poland’s workforce and ensuring commuting access from surrounding areas.

MLP Pruszków II, located in the Brwinów municipality about 5 km from Pruszków, is the largest logistics complex in the region, with a planned total leasable area of 427,000 sqm. Selected buildings hold BREEAM certification, and photovoltaic installations are being added as part of the developer’s ESG strategy.

The site offers road access via local route No. 760 and the A2 motorway, with the Pruszków-Żbików interchange located 3 km away. It is also connected to international railway lines and features on-site amenities such as a bus stop and a self-service bike rental station.

CTP expands in Pardubice region with acquisition of CTPark Pardubice Rosice

CTP has expanded its Czech portfolio with the acquisition of CTPark Pardubice Rosice, a 52,000 sqm site containing two detached CTSpace facilities for production and storage.

The acquisition, finalized on May 6, 2025, marks a strategic move by CTP to strengthen its presence in the Pardubice region, where it already operates CTPark Pardubice. Located on the outskirts of the city near the I/37 expressway and within minutes of the city centre and international airport, the park offers 14,739 sqm of space available for immediate lease. The upcoming completion of the D35 motorway corridor, linking Pardubice with Olomouc, is expected to further enhance connectivity.

Jakub Kodr, CTP’s Managing Director for the Czech Republic, said the decision to acquire the park was driven by the area’s strong transport links, industrial heritage, and skilled workforce. “Pardubice is a long-established location for high-tech manufacturing and logistics. A number of major companies already operate here, and we believe that the new park in Rosice will further enhance the attractiveness of this region,” he said.

The Pardubice region, home to more than 500,000 residents and the University of Pardubice, offers a steady pipeline of technically trained workers. Current tenants at the Rosice site include 2VV and 4Camping.

CTP also plans sustainability upgrades at the park, including the installation of photovoltaic panels and other energy-saving features. The facilities are targeting a BREEAM Very Good certification, aligning with the company’s environmental standards.

With the acquisition, CTP continues its expansion strategy in high-demand regional markets, positioning itself to attract both manufacturing and logistics clients seeking ready-to-use, certified industrial space in the Czech Republic.

Poland: Interest rate cut spurs questions on apartment demand and buyer budgets

Following July’s interest rate cut, the property market is watching closely to see if cheaper borrowing is driving a surge in apartment sales. Developers are assessing whether reservation numbers are climbing and which segments are benefiting most. With the average home loan application now reaching a record PLN 477,000, attention is turning to what kind of apartments this budget can secure — and in which projects — as industry players share their latest market observations.

Zuzanna Należyta, commercial director at Eco Classic
Despite two interest rate cuts, Poles pay about 70% more for mortgages than citizens of most EU countries. It is difficult to say what is behind the MPC’s cautious approach to rate cuts. In June, inflation in Poland was 3.4%, and since July, the NBP reference rate has been 5%, while in the eurozone it is 2% and 2.15%, respectively. Perhaps the persistently high mortgage interest rates are intended to help banks offset losses caused by credit holidays and lost Swiss franc litigation.

In order for mortgage interest rates to enable more customers to purchase apartments, interest rates need to be reduced by at least 2%. The record mortgage values recorded this year are due to high apartment prices and not to increased sales.

Agnieszka Majkusiak, General Director of Sales and Marketing at Atal
It is too early for the July interest rate cut to have a significant impact. Mortgage loans, also taking into account high bank margins, are still very expensive compared to other European countries. Banks still prefer fixed-rate products, which affects the attractiveness of variable-rate products, which are now of interest to customers expecting further interest rate cuts.

The revival in lending is partly due to the fact that many people have decided to finalize the purchase of a home without waiting any longer for any subsidy program, which is now unlikely to be implemented. Their situation is also favored by several months of price stability and a greater willingness of developers to negotiate. The reported loan volume also includes refinancing of existing liabilities.

The record average value of the loan applied for is a direct result of current property prices in Poland. The amount of PLN 477,000 in our offer mainly includes one- and two-room apartments, although in smaller cities, such as Piotrków Trybunalski, customers can even buy three-room apartments. However, if even a minimal down payment is taken into account and the aforementioned amount is related solely to the liability towards the bank, the choice of available properties expands significantly and also includes three- and four-room apartments.

Janusz Miller, Sales and Marketing Director at Home Invest
The July interest rate cut, following the May cut, significantly increased interest in buying apartments, which translated into an increase in the number of reservations, especially in the Warszawski Świt and Enklawa Ursynów projects.

The record average value of loans applied for – PLN 477,000 in June 2025 – reflects the growing creditworthiness of customers, although apartments in Warsaw often cost more, which requires an additional down payment. Thanks to our wide range of products, customers can choose apartments tailored to their needs, at prices they can afford, or supplement their loans with savings.

Michał Witkowski, Sales Director, Lokum Deweloper
Our observations show that the increased interest in mortgages is due to applications submitted by customers who are finalizing previously contracted purchases, often under a 20/80 or 10/90 payment schedule. Nevertheless, the recent decisions of the Monetary Policy Council to lower interest rates are a slightly positive signal for the market. Once the indicators are updated by the banks and credit margins do not increase, we can expect more customers to visit developers’ sales offices. It is worth noting that loans in Poland remain at record high levels, which for many potential buyers is a barrier that causes them to postpone their decision to purchase a flat.

Katarzyna Kwiatkowska, Sales Office Manager Warsaw, Matexi Polska
In the context of the Warsaw market, we noticed increased interest in purchasing apartments after the first interest rate cut, and after the July correction, this trend has continued with a slight upward trend. Properties in the PLN 560,000-588,000 range are available, for example, in the XYZ Place project on Żwirki i Wigury Street in Warsaw. It is worth adding that many of our customers have a down payment exceeding 20%, which opens the way for them to purchase larger apartments in our investments in better locations.

Barbara Marona, Sales Office Manager Kraków, Matexi Polska
As for the Kraków market, the July interest rate cut did not cause a sudden surge in interest. Customers had been expecting declines for months, so credit demand has been growing for a long time and remains high. In Krakow, we are seeing a steady influx of customers financing their purchases with loans, who, with the right down payment, can choose apartments of various sizes, e.g., in the Do Wilgi or Takt Lirników developments. We expect this trend to continue in the coming months.

Joanna Chojecka, Sales and Marketing Director for Warsaw and Wrocław at Robyg Group
The July interest rate cut, although expected and relatively small, is part of a trend towards monetary policy easing, which is affecting consumer sentiment. We can see that lower rates increase customers’ creditworthiness and translate into greater interest in apartments, especially among those planning to purchase with a mortgage. In recent weeks, we have seen an increase in the number of inquiries and reservations, although this is not yet a sharp impulse. Customers remain cautious about their purchasing decisions, but the improvement in financing conditions is a clear factor motivating them to act.

In Warsaw, we have 14 apartments ranging in size from 25 sq. m. to 27 sq. m. priced below PLN 500,000. In Wrocław, there are 32 apartments ranging in size from 25 sq. m. to 31 sq. m. available at this price. In Gdańsk, you can choose from 164 units ranging in size from 27 to 45 sq. m., priced from approximately PLN 299,000 to PLN 491,000. In Poznań, the offer includes 39 apartments ranging in price from PLN 339,000 to PLN 515,000, with floor space of 27 sq. m. to 42 sq. m.

Agnieszka Gajdzik-Wilgos, Sales Manager, Ronson Development
With this amount, buyers can afford different types of apartments depending on the location. The Miasto Moje development offers four studio apartments ranging from 26 to 27 sqm. Assuming a 20% down payment and a loan of approximately PLN 480,000, it is possible to purchase a small two-room apartment with an area of approximately 37 sqm. Currently, there are three such apartments available.

In the Nowa Północ development, for up to PLN 477,000, customers can choose from six one-room apartments and fifteen two-room apartments. In Osiedle Startowe, with a minimum down payment of 10%, which gives a maximum apartment price of approximately PLN 530,000, as many as 27 apartments meeting these criteria are currently available for sale.

Tomasz Czuchra, Vice-President of the Management Board of Waryński S.A. Holding Group
The July interest rate cut is still too recent to clearly assess its impact on the market. At the moment, we are not seeing a significant increase in interest in purchasing apartments or an increase in the number of reservations. It should also be remembered that the holiday season is naturally associated with slightly lower customer activity.
At the same time, there is a high level of interest in loans. Our new investment, Stacja Ligocka, located in Katowice, consists mainly of spacious three- and four-room apartments, including duplexes, ranging in size from 45 sqm to 111 sqm. Due to their size, the price of most of these apartments exceeds PLN 477,000.
Within this price range, there are about 20 two-room apartments available, ranging in size from 30 sqm to 41 sqm. These are functional, compact units, well suited to the financial capabilities of many borrowers and attractive from an investment perspective.

Mariusz Gajżewski, Head of Sales, Marketing and Communication, BPI Real Estate Poland
The July interest rate cut has translated into a clear revival of the market. We are seeing an increase in the number of enquiries and reservations. Customers are more willing to make purchasing decisions and are also more likely to take out loans, with the average value of financing requested actually reaching record highs.

Damian Tomasik, President of the Management Board, Alter Investment
The July interest rate cut and record interest in housing loans are having a positive impact on the market, including the land segment. The increased number of inquiries and reservations from developers confirms that cheaper credit is increasing the propensity to invest.

For PLN 477,000, our customers can purchase plots of land for the construction of single-family houses in Pomlewie.

Photo: Home Invest-Przystan Żerań
Source: dompress.pl

Romania: Sema Real Estate partners with Finqware to digitize treasury operations

Sema Real Estate has partnered with Romanian fintech company Finqware to implement its FinqTreasury platform, aiming to streamline the developer’s financial operations through automation and real-time data integration.

The move comes as real estate developers face growing operational complexity, with multiple banking relationships, faster payment systems, and heightened governance requirements. Sema says the integration will centralize banking data across all group accounts and entities via regulated APIs, allowing real-time liquidity monitoring, centralized payment initiation, and automatic reconciliation with its ERP system.

Lucian Grosaru, CEO of Sema Real Estate, described the project as part of a broader digital transformation strategy: “Digitalization is currently one of our top strategic priorities… offering real-time automation, extended visibility into financial flows, and a high degree of traceability, with minimal manual intervention.”

Implementation Details and Expected Impact
While Sema did not disclose the investment cost or implementation timeline, the company says it expects to improve efficiency in collections, payments, and cash visibility while reducing manual workloads in its finance department. Questions remain over whether the changes will impact staffing levels or result in cost savings, and how success will be measured in tangible terms.

Finqware CEO Cosmin Cosma said the adoption of FinqTreasury by Sema reinforces its position as “the industry standard for financial digitalization” in the real estate sector. The platform is already in use by several major property groups in Romania and Central and Eastern Europe, including Globalworth, NEPI Rockcastle, and Iulius Group.

Industry Context
Treasury automation is becoming more common in Romania’s real estate market, driven by instant payment systems such as SEPA Instant and Transfond, as well as regulatory changes pushing for more transparent and efficient financial flows. However, analysts note that while automation improves operational control, it also raises cybersecurity and system-dependency considerations.

Sema Real Estate, active for over 20 years in the Bucharest market, is best known for the large-scale Sema Parc and The Light developments, which together comprise more than 150,000 square metres of office space.

Finqware, authorized as a pan-European payment institution, provides open banking-based integration tools used by both corporates and banks in the region. Its pricing model, service-level guarantees, and integration challenges vary by client, with details for the Sema project not yet disclosed.

Photo: Lucian Grosaru, CEO of Sema Real Estate

Ai4 2025: Tackling the 90% Failure Rate in Enterprise AI Deployments

CIJ EUROPE rushed between discussions and skipped one to be at one of the more candid and practical talks at Ai4 2025, Alex Bermudez, GTM lead at Airia, and Ben Eichholz, Senior Director of AI Innovation at Pax8, addressed a problem that few in the AI industry are eager to admit: nearly nine out of ten enterprise proof-of-concepts (POCs) for generative AI never make it into production.

Drawing on statistics from IDC and Gartner, the speakers outlined why enterprise AI adoption often stalls after initial trials. The main culprits, they said, include pressure from leadership to deploy AI without clear operational plans, slow change management, poor AI literacy among users, and conflicts between innovation ambitions and organisational risk tolerances in areas like governance, compliance, and security.

Eichholz shared Pax8’s own journey, which began with promising AI tools like ScopePilot for Microsoft 365, designed to summarise meetings and improve content creation. While these tools boosted personal productivity, they failed to embed into core business workflows, making ROI difficult to prove. A pivot to custom AI agent development brought new challenges — projects that were too slow, lacked capabilities, or were outdated by rapid technological change. By 2024, Pax8 shifted to a platform-based strategy, partnering with Airia to stay on the leading edge while managing risk and complexity.

Bermudez noted that as enterprises scale AI deployment, new security threats — including data poisoning, untrusted inference, and vulnerabilities in the emerging Model Context Protocol (MCP) — are becoming serious concerns. Shadow AI, where employees use unauthorised tools like ChatGPT or Gemini, also remains a risk unless organisations provide sanctioned, user-friendly alternatives. At Pax8, building an “AI playground” on Airia’s platform significantly reduced this problem by giving staff secure access to leading AI models, including the latest releases such as GPT-5.

The discussion also addressed the difficulty of integrating AI with both structured and unstructured enterprise data. Eichholz cautioned against “letting perfect be the enemy of good” in data readiness, advocating for a use-case-driven approach that targets relevant data subsets rather than waiting for complete enterprise-wide clean-up.

Looking ahead, both speakers argued that the real goal for enterprises is a fully orchestrated, multi-agent system capable of reading from and writing to diverse data sources while operating within strict governance frameworks. Achieving this, they warned, requires careful platform selection, robust identity and authentication controls, and the ability to manage guardrails consistently across models.

Airia, which specialises in enterprise governance, security, and orchestration for AI agents, offers no-code prototyping, access to over 150 foundational models, and built-in observability and data-loss-prevention layers. Eichholz cited these capabilities — along with Airia’s ease of deployment and its support for democratising innovation across a workforce — as reasons for Pax8’s decision to partner rather than build entirely in-house.

With generative AI moving from hype to hard reality, Bermudez and Eichholz’s message was clear: success depends less on chasing the latest models and more on building the infrastructure, governance, and user adoption strategies that can turn AI pilots into lasting enterprise transformation.

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