159 - We’re All Gonna Die with Eliezer Yudkowsky

Eliezer Yudkowsky is an author, founder, and leading thinker in the AI space.

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✨ DEBRIEF | Unpacking the episode:

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✨ COLLECTIBLES | Collect this episode:

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We wanted to do an episode on AI… and we went deep down the rabbit hole. As we went down, we discussed ChatGPT and the new generation of AI, digital superintelligence, the end of humanity, and if there’s anything we can do to survive.

This conversation with Eliezer Yudkowsky sent us into an existential crisis, with the primary claim that we are on the cusp of developing AI that will destroy humanity.

Be warned before diving into this episode, dear listener. Once you dive in, there’s no going back.

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Topics Covered

0:00 Intro
10:00 ChatGPT
16:30 AGI
21:00 More Efficient than You
24:45 Modeling Intelligence
32:50 AI Alignment
36:55 Benevolent AI
46:00 AI Goals
49:10 Consensus
55:45 God Mode and Aliens
1:03:15 Good Outcomes
1:08:00 Ryan’s Childhood Questions
1:18:00 Orders of Magnitude
1:23:15 Trying to Resist
1:30:45 Miri and Education
1:34:00 How Long Do We Have?
1:38:15 Bearish Hope
1:43:50 The End Goal

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Resources:

Eliezer Yudkowsky

MIRI

Reply to Francois Chollet

Grabby Aliens

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[_bhargav]

“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then everyone gets turned into a paperclip"

[aminromero]

The crypto advertisement between Eliezer's explanations of why we are doomed would be hilariously satirical, if it wasn't so sad

[benschulz]

A man who stood up and said..."we have a problem, and it will end poorly for us." Endlessly mocked for a decade. We're a pathetic species sometimes. Thank you for speaking up.

[gbeziuk]

This is the most inspiring totally hopeless discussion I've ever wintessed.

[waysofseeing]

I doubt there is a person in the world who wishes they were wrong more than this guy. A heartbreaking interview because of the sadness that Yudkowsky exudes in the wake of his realization. I suppose I should be most heart broken by this extremely intelligent human expert's prognosis. I'm also human, not as bright, so it's not the logic of his argument, but the authentic human sadness of Yudowsky, that overwhelms me first and foremost and makes me desperately wish I had something to offer for consolation.

[vanderkarl]

I'm so glad you were able to have Eliezer on. Outreach regarding AI Safety/AI Alignment is probably one of the best things we can do right now. Not enough people are working on this problem.

[snippywhippit]

the best thing i can take from this, is to enjoy the ones you love and do what you love because you wont have it forever and you may as well grab hold of every moment you can.
be well to others, be well to yourself, maybe we'll see eachother on the other side of this issue.... till then, loved my experience here overall, its been an adventure!

[georgeclinton]

gotta love the hopelessness in his eyes when he says things like "maybe there is hope"

[MikhailSamin]

Thank you for doing this episode!

Eliezer saying he had cried all his tears for humanity back in 2015, and has been trying to do something for all these years, but humanity failed itself, is possibly the most impactful podcast moment I’ve ever experienced.

He’s actually better than the guy from Don’t Look Up: he is still trying to fight.

I agree there’s a very little chance, but something literally astronomically large is at stake, and it is better to die with dignity, trying to increase the chances of having a future even by the smallest amount.

The raw honesty and emotion from a scientist who, for good reasons, doesn't expect humanity to survive despite all his attempts is something you can rarely see

[thesiegfried]

One reason why many people don't take action regarding preventing catastrophic events is: they simply forget as they go on with their daily lives. Many people watch this episode, are very concerned - and then forget over time.
The difference you, Bankless Shows, can make is: keep reporting on this problem regularly. Keep people aware of it.

[jayseph]

Uncensored, immutable, just as it should be. I applaud you bankless! No matter how dark a message this may be. Also the proper disclaimer was delivered loud and clear. Exquisite execution.

[atlas-scifipunk]

I've been following Eliezer for a couple of years, and thank you and him for doing this video.
His brutal honesty about the state of AI is what ultimately made me decide that I will spend my career dedicated to AI alignment. I graduate in June... I hope it isn't too late by the time i'm ready to participate. If it is, well, I tried.

[NoticerOfficial]

27:21 this line was the moment they realized where this guy was headed and weren’t prepared

[diegocaleiro]

The interviewer begins this interview claiming he could do a better job. As someone who knows Eliezer and has been involved in AGI worry since 2005, I think the interviewer did a phenomenal job of asking the right questions to get to the dire, but real, depiction of the reality in which we find ourselves.

[benhallo]

This is the best interview of his I’ve seen. You did a great job of asking intelligent questions. In other interviews he seems to get annoyed at the unrealistic and naive optimism or the interviewer.

[Maistora]

Thank you for doing the episode and taking the ideas seriously instead of just dismissing them. You've definitely earned some dignity points for humanity here.

[paulam]

I mourn the loss of the qualities Yudkowsky embodies - soulfulness and deep humanity - that will die with us when AI takes over.

[ianyboo]

"I can't really do justice to this, if you look up 'grabby aliens...'"

I nearly spit out my drink listening to that knowing the rabbit hole he had just sent them down lol... I just went down that rabbit hole a few weeks ago and it was wild.

[-flavz]

The YouTube algorithm is pushing this content my way and as a result I have watched 4 videos with E.Yudkowsky in a day. The scariest thing is 2 of those videos were over 10 years old and we haven't had the necessary public outcry.

[injinii]

Keep up the fight Yudkowsky. Some of us hear you.