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Big Technology Podcast

Silicon Valley's Effective Altruist vs. Accelerationist Religious War

Nov 29, 2023
Molly White, a crypto researcher and author of 'Citation Needed', joins internet culture reporter Ryan Broderick, creator of 'Garbage Day', and Deepa Seetharaman, a Wall Street Journal AI reporter. The trio dives into the clash between Effective Altruism and Effective Accelerationism in Silicon Valley, discussing how these ideologies shaped the OpenAI debacle. They explore the implications of each group's philosophy on AI ethics, corporate culture, and the future of technology, revealing the complex dynamics of risk versus rapid advancement in the tech landscape.
49:40

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Effective altruism and effective accelerationism are two contrasting ideologies that have gained prominence in Silicon Valley, with EAs advocating for a methodical approach to AI development that considers risks, while effective accelerationists push for rapid development without regard for risks.
  • While effective altruism and effective accelerationism have influenced the corporate landscape and AI ethics debates, it is important to recognize that these ideologies are not the only perspectives in the AI debate, and there is a need to consider a broader range of ideas and perspectives.

Deep dives

The Divide Between Effective Altruists and Effective Accelerationists

The podcast episode delves into the divide between effective altruists (EAs) and effective accelerationists. EAs believe in doing as much good as possible using data-driven analysis. They are concerned with existential risks, including the potential dangers of artificial intelligence (AI). They advocate for a methodical approach to AI development that accounts for risks. On the other hand, effective accelerationists believe in developing AI as quickly as possible without regard for risks. They argue that the universe is not inherently biased towards self-destruction, so everything will be fine. Both groups have gained attention and influence in Silicon Valley, but the episode emphasizes that the AI debate involves a much wider range of perspectives beyond these two groups.

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