ForeCast Preparing for the Intelligence Explosion (with Will MacAskill)
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Mar 18, 2025 
Will MacAskill, co-author of ‘Preparing for the Intelligence Explosion’ and AI safety expert, dives into the thrilling world of artificial general intelligence. He discusses the rapid advancements in AI and potential challenges for humanity as technology outpaces decision-making processes. The conversation touches on the societal implications of an intelligence explosion, including geopolitical tensions and existential risks. MacAskill also explores ethical considerations for AI governance and the impact of these technologies on our future, including in space exploration.
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Intelligence Explosion: A Century in a Decade
- AGI may arrive sooner than expected, posing significant challenges due to rapid technological advancement.
- The coming changes could be like experiencing a century's worth of progress in just a decade.
A Century of Progress in 10 Years
- Imagine 1925 experiencing a century's progress in 10 years, from nuclear bombs to postmodernism.
- This illustrates the potential chaos of rapid advancements without time for societal adaptation.
Rapid AI Improvement
- AI is improving rapidly, with effective compute increasing by a factor of 10 or more annually.
- This exponential growth could lead to unforeseen advancements in AI capabilities.