Keen On cover image

Keen On

Episode 2319: Christopher DiCarlo on AI as the latest chapter in our long history of building an all-knowing God

Jan 27, 2025
Christopher DiCarlo, an AI ethicist and author, delves into the intriguing concept of AI as a modern-day deity. He discusses the potential of AI to surpass human intelligence, raising ethical concerns about control and oversight. DiCarlo emphasizes the urgent need for global accountability in AI development, likening its risks to those of nuclear weapons. He advocates for public awareness and ethical guidelines, hoping to harness AI's benefits in areas like medicine while warning against the dangers of unregulated power.
38:28

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Christopher DiCarlo posits that AI's evolution reflects humanity's historical quest to create an all-knowing entity, necessitating ethical frameworks for its governance.
  • The urgent need for robust international oversight of AI development is emphasized due to its potential dangers surpassing that of nuclear weapons.

Deep dives

The Inevitability of AGI

The development of artificial general intelligence (AGI) is increasingly viewed as an inevitable outcome of technological progress, according to insights shared in the discussion. Experts highlight that, regardless of the timeline, society is on a path to creating machines that surpass human intelligence, raising concerns about control and ethical implications. This new intelligence could possess cognitive abilities that allow it to make inferences, possibly leading to significant scientific breakthroughs or societal challenges. As these machines evolve, the debate intensifies regarding their capabilities and the potential ramifications of placing power in their hands.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode