In this episode of Moment of Zen, Erik Torenberg is joined by Samuel Hammond (@hamandcheese), a senior economist at the Foundation for American Innovation and AI Scout/ Cognitive Revolution podcast host Nathan Labenz (@labenz). From drug innovation to nuclear risk, they discuss the impact of AI on policy and governance, exploring the challenges and opportunities of a Trump vs. Harris presidency.
From drug innovation to nuclear risk, they dissect the impact of AI on policy and governance, exploring the challenges and opportunities of a Trump vs. Harris presidency.
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LINKS:
Samuel Hammond Essays
* The EA case for Trump 2024:
https://www.secondbest.ca/p/the-ea-case-for-trump-2024
* AI and Leviathan: Part I:
https://www.secondbest.ca/p/ai-and-leviathan-part-i
* A Manhattan Project for AI Safety:
https://www.secondbest.ca/p/a-manhattan-project-for-ai-safety
Books:
* Asymmetric Politics: How the New Right Became Resurgent in American Politics by Matthew Grossmann and David Hopkins
* The New Class War by Michael Lind
* The Great Stagnation by Tyler Cowen
* The Singularity Is Near by Ray Kurzweil
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@eriktorenberg (Erik)
@hamandcheese (Samuel)
@labenz (Nathan)
@turpentinemedia (Turpentine)
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:08) Samuel's Perspective on Trump: Focus on Innovation
(03:54) Nathan's Perspective on Trump: Focus on Tail Risks
(07:55) Governing Philosophies and Party Structures
(14:53) The Need for Understanding AI on Its Own Terms
(20:48) The Potential for AI to Reform the Administrative State
(21:38) Sponsor: Babbel | WorkOS
(29:34) The Dissonance Between Idealism and Reality
(32:33) Sponsor: NetSuite| Squad
(37:54) The Potential for a Crisis-Driven AI Policy
(48:56) The Case for a Trump Administration in Light of Past Policies
(1:13:20) The Risks of an AI Arms Race
(1:28:28) The Potential for a Shared AI Future
(1:47:56) The Need for a Pause in AI Development
(1:57:02) The Limits of Individual Leadership and the Importance of Institutional Change
(1:58:17) The Hypothetical Scenario of Trump Ordering a Nuclear Strike
(2:02:02) The Need for Outsider Leadership
