Women talkin' 'bout AI The Containment Problem: Why AI and Synthetic Biology Can't Be Contained
In this episode, Jessica teaches Kimberly about the "containment problem," a concept that explores whether we can actually control advanced technologies like AI and synthetic biology.
Inspired by Mustafa Suleyman's book The Coming Wave, Jessica and Kimberly discuss why containment might be impossible, the democratization of powerful technologies, and the surprising world of DIY genetic engineering (yes, you can buy a frog modification kit for your garage).
What We Cover:
- What is the containment problem and why it matters
- The difference between AGI, ASI, and ACI
- Why AI is fundamentally different from nuclear weapons when it comes to containment
- Synthetic biology: from AlphaFold to $1,099 frog gene editing kits
- The geopolitical arms race and why profit motives complicate containment
- How technology democratization gives individuals unprecedented power
- Whether complete AI containment is even possible (spoiler: probably not)
- The modern Turing test and why perception might be reality
Books & Resources Mentioned:
- Empire of AI by Karen Hao
- DeepMind documentary
Key Themes:
- Technology inevitability vs. choice
- The challenges of regulating rapidly evolving technologies
- Who benefits from AI advancement?
- The tension between innovation and safety
Follow Women Talking About AI for more conversations exploring the implications, opportunities, and challenges of artificial intelligence.
Leave us a comment or a suggestion!
Leave us a comment or a suggestion!
Contact Jessica or Kimberly on LinkedIn: