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Your Undivided Attention

Can Myth Teach Us Anything About the Race to Build Artificial General Intelligence? With Josh Schrei

Jan 18, 2024
Josh Schrei, mythologist and host of The Emerald podcast, discusses how myths and stories can guide ethical tech development by reminding us what it is to be human. The podcast explores the motivations behind AI development, the entwined relationship between AI and cultural myths, and the religious aspects of the AI discussion. It also highlights the power of stories in shaping beliefs, the importance of embodying ethics and navigating relationships, and the responsibilities and consequences in the race to build AGI.
35:50

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Examining AI through the lens of mythology helps us understand the deeper human drives and potential implications of wielding its powers.
  • Building AI requires not just intelligence, but also wisdom and ethical responsibility to avoid unforeseen consequences and negative impacts.

Deep dives

The Motivation Behind AI Development

A small group of individuals at the core of AGI development are driven by a deep desire to meet and interact with the most intelligent entity ever created. They view the creation of AI as a religious or mythical pursuit, seeking new godlike powers and having an ego-religious belief that they will be part of this entity. Their drive to build AI is not solely rational, but rather a pursuit of mystery and the excitement of unleashing something unpredictable.

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