Billionaire hedge fund manager and early Bitcoin supporter Paul Tudor Jones has sounded a grim alarm about the future of artificial intelligence. In a recent interview with CNBC, Jones shared his growing concern that AI could pose a severe existential threat to humanity—so much so that he believes there is a 10% chance it could wipe out half of the global population within the next two decades.

Jones made the sobering remark following his participation in an exclusive, invitation-only tech conference that brought together top minds in technology, science, and finance. While the event was conducted under the Chatham House Rule—allowing participants to discuss the content of the conversations without revealing who said what—the ideas exchanged left a deep impression on the seasoned investor.

According to Jones, one participant speculated that it would take a catastrophic event involving the deaths of 50 to 100 million people before the world truly grasps the danger posed by unregulated artificial intelligence. This chilling perspective was enough to sway Jones toward a more pessimistic view of AI’s future impact.

During one breakout session at the conference, attendees were asked to physically move to different sides of the room based on whether they agreed or disagreed with the statement that AI poses a 10% chance of wiping out half of humanity in the next 20 years. While the majority of attendees rejected the scenario, Jones was among a small group—six or seven individuals—who moved to the “agree” side.

Explaining his position, Jones cited Elon Musk as a major influence. “I went there because of what I’d heard Elon Musk say, who’s maybe the most brilliant engineer of our time,” he noted. Musk has long been vocal about the potentially disastrous consequences of advanced artificial intelligence, repeatedly calling for oversight and regulation before it’s too late.

Jones emphasized that while AI promises immense benefits, it also carries unprecedented dangers. “It’s going to be really great too,” he admitted. “But we’re helpless to do anything about it.” His comments reflect a broader anxiety shared by many in both tech and finance circles, who worry that innovation is outpacing our ability to control it.

The billionaire investor’s remarks carry particular weight given his background. Paul Tudor Jones was among the first major figures in traditional finance to embrace Bitcoin, publicly endorsing it in 2020 as a hedge against inflation. Since then, his insights on disruptive technologies have been closely watched by both Wall Street and the crypto community.

His comments also come at a time when the line between Bitcoin mining and AI computing is beginning to blur. Mining companies are increasingly repurposing their infrastructure to handle AI workloads, a shift that’s redefining how both industries operate. This convergence is driven by soaring demand for computing power and the rise of AI-focused data centers, making Jones’s concerns even more timely.

While some may view Jones’s 10% estimate as alarmist, others see it as a call to action. The idea that a financial veteran of his stature is voicing such concerns underscores the urgency of establishing global standards for AI development, safety, and governance. With nations racing to lead in artificial intelligence, the risk of unintended consequences has never been higher.

Whether or not the dire prediction ever comes to pass, the debate around AI’s long-term impact is unlikely to fade anytime soon. As technology continues to advance at breakneck speed, society will be forced to grapple with tough questions about ethics, oversight, and existential risk. Jones’s comments serve as a stark reminder that even the brightest innovations can cast a long shadow.