Abu-Mostafa speculated that future advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) could uncover the secrets of DNA and transform healthcare, saying: “I wouldn’t be surprised if all the mysteries about DNA and how it relates are solved.”

The discussion extended beyond this possibility to AI’s broader impact. Abu-Mostafa highlighted the critical role of data, calling it the “lifeblood” of AI.

Despite his optimism, Abu-Mostafa remains cautious, noting that while AI achievements are impressive, they fall short of human-like intelligence; the pursuit of general intelligence continues, shaped by both ethical concerns and technological progress.

Abu-Mostafa, a leading machine learning scientist with 10 patents in AI and medicine, is a professor of electrical engineering and computer science at California Institute of Technology (Caltech). His achievements include the Clauser Prize and the Richard P Feynman Prize for teaching. His book, Learning from Data, encapsulates much of his expertise and insights.