Google's top AI scientist says ‘learning how to learn’ will be next generation's most needed skill

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A top Google scientist and 2024 Nobel laureate said Friday that the most important skill for the next generation will be “learning how to learn” to keep pace with change as Artificial Intelligence transforms education and the workplace.

Speaking at an ancient Roman theater at the foot of the Acropolis in Athens, Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google’s DeepMind, said rapid technological change demands a new approach to learning and skill development.

“It’s very hard to predict the future, like 10 years from now, in normal cases. It’s even harder today, given how fast AI is changing, even week by week,” Hassabis told the audience. “The only thing you can say for certain is that huge change is coming.”

The neuroscientist and former chess prodigy said artificial general intelligence — a futuristic vision of machines that are as broadly smart as humans or at least can do many things as well as people can — could arrive within a decade. This, he said, will bring dramatic advances and a possible future of “radical abundance” despite acknowledged risks.

Hassabis emphasized the need for “meta-skills,” such as understanding how to learn and optimizing one’s approach to new subjects, alongside traditional disciplines like math, science and humanities.

“One thing we’ll know for sure is you’re going to have to continually learn ... throughout your career,” he said.

The DeepMind co-founder, who established the London-based research lab in 2010 before Google acquired it four years later, shared the 2024 Nobel Prize in chemistry for developing AI systems that accurately predict protein folding — a breakthrough for medicine and drug discovery.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis joined Hassabis at the Athens event after discussing ways to expand AI use in government services. Mitsotakis warned that the continued growth of huge tech companies could create great global financial inequality.

“Unless people actually see benefits, personal benefits, to this (AI) revolution, they will tend to become very skeptical," he said. "And if they see ... obscene wealth being created within very few companies, this is a recipe for significant social unrest.”

Mitsotakis thanked Hassabis, whose father is Greek Cypriot, for rescheduling the presentation to avoid conflicting with the European basketball championship semifinal between Greece and Turkey. Greece later lost the game 94-68.

Kelvin Chan in London contributed to this story.

Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google's artificial intelligence research company DeepMind, bottom right, and Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, bottom center, discuss the future of AI, ethics and democracy during an event at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, under Acropolis ancient hill, in Athens, Greece, Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, center, and Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google's artificial intelligence research company DeepMind, right, discuss the future of AI, ethics and democracy as the moderator Linda Rottenberg, Co-founder & CEO of Endeavor looks on during an event at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens, Greece, Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, left, and Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google's artificial intelligence research company DeepMind discuss the future of AI, ethics and democracy during an event at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, in Athens, Greece, Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google's artificial intelligence research company DeepMind, right, and Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis discuss the future of AI, ethics and democracy during an event at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, in Athens, Greece, Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Rockies are bringing in Denver Broncos owners Greg Penner and Carrie Walton Penner through a minority investment from the Penner Sports Group.

Rockies chairman & CEO Dick Monfort and owner/general partner Charlie Monfort announced the deal Friday. It's been approved by Major League Baseball.

The Penner group is purchasing approximately a 40% share of the Rockies, a person with knowledge of the situation said. That person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the figure hasn't been released. The group becomes the largest minority partner for the Rockies, a team Forbes has valued at $1.68 billion.

Dick and Charlie Monfort will continue their roles, with Walker Monfort serving as the team's president. The organization said the investment allows the club to “retire all outstanding debt” in addition to providing an enhanced experience at Coors Field.

“Greg and Carrie have proven that they share the same passion for our region and a strong commitment to compete at the highest level," Dick Monfort said in a statement. "We are thrilled to add them to the Colorado Rockies’ ownership group as we best position this franchise for long-term sustained success.”

The Rockies are off to a 6-7 start this season. They made big changes in the offseason after a third straight year with 100 or more losses. The front office is now led by Paul DePodesta, the president of baseball operations, and general manager Josh Byrnes.

The Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group bought the Broncos from the Pat Bowlen Trust in August 2022 for a then-record $4.65 billion. Walmart heir Rob Walton also is an owner, while Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton, Mellody Hobson and former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice serve as limited partners.

Denver made it to the AFC championship game last season before losing 10-7 to the New England Patriots.

“While our focus remains firmly on the Broncos, we look forward to being supportive, long-term partners of the Rockies and Major League Baseball,” the Penners said in a joint statement. “We’ve enjoyed getting to know the Monforts and are grateful to join Dick and Charlie in the Rockies’ ownership group along with the other partners.”

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Denver Broncos owner Greg Penner walks after attending a session at the NFL football annual meetings, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)