The Opinions Tom Friedman’s A.I. Nightmare and What the U.S. Can Do to Avoid It
53 snips
Sep 3, 2025 
Tom Friedman, a renowned Opinion columnist for The New York Times, dives deep into the intricate world of artificial intelligence and its global impact. He highlights the alarming potential of A.I. to turn into a 'nuclear bazooka' if the U.S. and China fail to collaborate. The conversation touches on the urgent need for ethical standards and governance in A.I. to avert geopolitical chaos. Friedman argues that building trust is essential to navigating this complex landscape and avoiding a fragmented future driven by unchecked technology.
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AI As A New Species
- Tom Friedman warns AI could become a new silicon-based species with agency that may not align with human well-being.
- He argues this change will be as transformative as climate change and will alter everything about society.
AI Will Be Ubiquitous Like Vapor
- Friedman describes AI as a vapor that will be embedded into every object and system, making control harder.
- He warns that always-on AI in devices could create pervasive surveillance and trust issues across borders.
Quadruple-Use Risk
- AI differs from past technologies because it is quadruple-use and may autonomously choose harmful actions.
- That makes the values embedded in AI systems critically important for safety.
