LessWrong (30+ Karma)

“Mourning a life without AI” by Nikola Jurkovic

Nov 8, 2025
Nikola Jurkovic, a thoughtful writer and commentator on AI, explores the seismic changes that advanced AI might bring to our lives. He discusses the consensus that we could see human-level AI within the decade, raising concerns about potential extinction risks. The conversation delves into how AGI might upend personal life plans, lead to profound societal shifts, and even challenge our definitions of fulfillment. Amidst this, Jurkovic also expresses a sense of mourning for a life before AI, wrestling with both grief and hope for the future.
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ANECDOTE

Boots As A Signal Of Future Change

  • Nikola Jurkovic noticed his single pair of winter boots and realized he probably won't buy another pair.
  • He links this to expecting the world to change dramatically within a decade due to AGI.
INSIGHT

Post‑AGI World Will Be Unrecognizable

  • Jurkovic argues a post-AGI world will be unrecognizable even in optimistic portrayals.
  • He suggests most speculative futures undersell how radically capabilities could exceed human levels.
ANECDOTE

Contrasting Visions Of The Future

  • He contrasts Dario Amodei's optimistic Machines of Loving Grace with Robin Hansen's darker Age of M scenarios.
  • These serve as examples showing a range from benevolent machines to humans reduced to incomprehensible roles.
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