#128 Yoshua Bengio: Dissecting The Extinction Threat of AI

Yoshua Bengio, the legendary AI expert, will join us for Episode 128 of Eye on AI podcast. In this episode, we delve into the unnerving question: Could the rise of a superhuman AI signal the downfall of humanity as we know it? Join us as we embark on an exploration of the existential threat posed by superhuman AI, leaving no stone unturned. We dissect the Future of Life Institute’s role in overseeing large language model development. As well as the sobering warnings issued by the Centre for AI Safety regarding artificial general intelligence. The stakes have never been higher, and we uncover the pressing need for action. Prepare to confront the disconcerting notion of society’s gradual disempowerment and an ever-increasing dependency on AI. We shed light on the challenges of extricating ourselves from this intricate web, where pulling the plug on AI seems almost impossible. Brace yourself for a thought-provoking discussion on the potential psychological effects of realizing that our relentless pursuit of AI advancement may inadvertently jeopardize humanity itself. In this episode, we dare to imagine a future where deep learning amplifies system-2 capabilities, forcing us to develop countermeasures and regulations to mitigate associated risks. We grapple with the possibility of leveraging AI to combat climate change, while treading carefully to prevent catastrophic outcomes. But that’s not all. We confront the notion of AI systems acting autonomously, highlighting the critical importance of stringent regulation surrounding their access and usage.

(00:00) Preview

(00:42) Introduction

(03:30) Yoshua Bengio's essay on AI extinction  

(09:45) Use cases for dangerous uses of AI  

(12:00) Why are AI risks only happening now?

(17:50) Extinction threat and fear with AI & climate change

(21:10) Super intelligence and the concerns for humanity

(15:02) Yoshua Bengio research in AI safety

(29:50) Are corporations a form of artificial intelligence?

(31:15) Extinction scenarios by Yoshua Bengio

(37:00) AI agency and AI regulation

(40:15) Who controls AI for the general public?

(45:11) The AI debate in the world  

Craig Smith Twitter: https://twitter.com/craigss Eye on A.I. Twitter: https://twitter.com/EyeOn_AI