Ep 105: What Can Aristotle Teach Us About AI? Training "Philosopher Builders" with Brendan McCord of the Cosmos Institute
Dec 14, 2024
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Brendan McCord, founder of the Cosmos Institute and AI entrepreneur, discusses the vital interplay between philosophy and technology. He outlines how a lack of foundational values could lead to an authoritarian future, emphasizing the need for 'philosopher builders.' The conversation delves into four dominant approaches to AI, critiques the accelerationist mindset, and promotes principles like decentralization and autonomy for human flourishing. McCord highlights the importance of integrating Western philosophical thought to navigate ethical challenges in AI.
The necessity of philosophical grounding in AI development is crucial to prevent authoritarian outcomes and ensure human autonomy.
Brendan McCord's Cosmos Institute aims to cultivate 'philosopher builders' who integrate technical skills with ethical considerations for responsible innovation.
Historical lessons from past technological revolutions underscore the critical choice between using AI to enhance freedom or enabling oppressive control systems.
Deep dives
The Challenge of AI Control
AI is becoming a major operating system across various industries, significantly influencing how individuals allocate their time and actions. As AI systems grow in capability, there are concerns about an emerging control layer that could lead to authoritarian outcomes, posing critical questions about the balance between automation and human agency. Philosophical reflections by figures like Alfred North Whitehead highlight the necessity of being able to execute important cognitive operations without conscious thought, suggesting that while automation can enhance efficiency, it risks undermining critical thinking and autonomy. The historical context indicates that overly relying on automated systems can lead to moral abdication, as seen in past societal failures where individuals became complicit in harmful systems.
The Need for Philosopher Builders
The emergence of transformative technologies like AI exemplifies the urgent need for 'philosopher builders'—individuals combining technical skills with deep philosophical understanding. Brendan McCord's creation of the Cosmos Institute aims to cultivate these thinkers, bridging the gap between technical innovation and ethical consideration. The intention is to prepare builders who can navigate complex societal challenges and the implications of their work, ensuring that technological advancements align with human values. Current educational and institutional frameworks often lack this integration, focusing either on narrow technical training or ideological conformity without addressing the philosophical underpinnings critical for responsible innovation.
Exploring Historical Parallels
Throughout history, technological revolutions have presented societies with a choice: to build for freedom or to succumb to authoritarian control. Examples include the printing press, which democratized knowledge but was also co-opted for manipulation by figures like Goebbels, and the internet, which can either promote decentralization or be used for oppressive state control, as observed in China. The discourse surrounding AI reflects similar tensions, where choices made now will determine whether technology enhances individual autonomy or dictates societal norms. Recognizing these historical lessons is vital as society navigates the integration of AI into everyday life, ensuring that it serves to empower rather than enslave.
Regulatory Approaches to AI
The current approaches to AI regulation can be divided among doomsayers, accelerationists, and techno-authoritarians, each presenting distinct challenges and visions for the future. Doomsayers often promote precautionary measures based on existential risks, whereas accelerationists push for rapid advancements without fully considering the consequences on human welfare. Meanwhile, regulators tend to employ ex-ante methods that inhibit innovation rather than allowing adaptive learning through experience. The dangers of implementing top-down control in the regulatory framework, as well as misguided attempts to mitigate risks, emphasize the need for a balanced, informed approach that fosters technological advancement while safeguarding autonomy and ethical principles.
A Vision for the Future
If applied thoughtfully, AI has the potential to revolutionize society by enhancing knowledge creation and mass education, ultimately paving the way for unprecedented advances in science and human flourishing. Envisioned outcomes include AI-driven discoveries, improved healthcare solutions, and more efficient educational methods that inspire critical thinking and creativity. There is optimism that society could leverage AI to scale high-quality education globally, encouraging the development of future 'philosopher builders' who embrace both technical proficiency and ethical considerations. By prioritizing human-centric values alongside technological progress, it is possible to realize a future where AI contributes positively to the conditions of life for all.
AI is transforming our world. Yet many people building these technologies have no grounding in the principles of Western Civilization. With the wrong ideas, we could hurtle toward an authoritarian, dystopian future. But with the right values, AI could unleash freedom and prosperity in ways never imagined. What are the philosophical frameworks needed to harness AI for good? And how do we train a new generation of philosopher builders?
We explore these timely issues with Brendan McCord, founder and chair of the Cosmos Institute, a new nonprofit equipping technologists with pro-liberty values. After graduating from MIT and Harvard Business School, Brendan served on Arctic submarine missions for the Department of Defense and later authored its first AI strategy. He went on to build and lead two AI startups that were acquired for $400 million. Now, he's educating our best and brightest minds in the timeless wisdom of Western Civilization and preparing them for the serious ethical questions that AI poses.
We begin with the importance of philosophy throughout history in harnessing emerging technologies for freedom or control. Next, Brendan breaks down the four dominant approaches to AI — doomsayers, accelerationists, regulators, and techno-authoritarians — and where each falls short. Alternatively, he offers three principles and their philosophical roots for harnessing AI for human flourishing: reason (John Stuart Mill), decentralization (Alexis de Tocqueville), and human autonomy (Aristotle). We also cover legitimate versus illegitimate concerns with AI and conclude with how the Cosmos Institute is putting these principles into action, from its Fellowship programs to its new AI lab at Oxford University.
00:00 Episode intro
02:04 Submarines to Building AI Companies
06:00 Why Philosopher Builders are needed
13:20 Why AI poses unique challenges
20:50 Doomsayers vs Accelerationists
25:50 Philosophical frameworks for human flourishing
30:10 Regulators & Techno-authoritarians
37:34 AI running for political office?
40:07 LLMs don't know how to reason
42:30 Purpose of the Cosmos Institute
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