The Importance of Inner Experience in the Evolution of Machines

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Piketty: A fraction of the economy that is owned by machines asymptotically approaches 100% isn't necessarily one in which the size of the human slice declines. "If they are conscious and if they are miserable, then that would seem to be a very bad thing," Piketty writes. The author says he doesn't put any weight for justice or moral weight on the well-being of machines.

Nick Bostrom of the University of Oxford talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about his book, Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies. Bostrom argues that when machines exist which dwarf human intelligence they will threaten human existence unless steps are taken now to reduce the risk. The conversation covers the likelihood of the worst scenarios, strategies that might be used to reduce the risk and the implications for labor markets, and human flourishing in a world of superintelligent machines.