Almost half of CEOs fear A.I. could destroy humanity five to ten years from now—but A.I. ‘Godfather’ says an existential threat is ‘preposterously ridiculous’

Yann Lecun, head of artificial intelligence (AI) research at Facebook Inc.,pauses during a Bloomberg Television interview at Bloomberg's Sooner Than You Think technology conference in Paris, France, on Wednesday, May 23, 2018. (Credit: Marlene Awaad/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Business leaders, technologists and A.I. experts are divided on whether the technology of the moment will serve as a “renaissance” for humanity or the source of its downfall.

At the invitation-only Yale CEO summit this week, 42% of CEOs surveyed at the event said they believed A.I. has the potential to destroy humanity within the next five to 10 years.