Tristan Harris Is Trying to Save Us from AI [VIDEO]
Dec 19, 2023
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Tech ethicist and entrepreneur Tristan Harris joins Trevor Noah to discuss AI skepticism, the dangers of scaling AI models, and the influence of AI and social media incentives. They explore the impact of social media on addiction, polarization, truth, and democracy. They also address the need for creating a shared reality on social media platforms and the importance of responsible governance and regulation to prevent misuse of powerful technologies.
The drive for attention in social media platforms has resulted in addiction, polarization, and mental health issues, leading to a distorted society and a breakdown of trust.
The rapid scaling of artificial general intelligence raises concerns about the lack of predictability in outcomes and the potential unintended consequences of AI models with new insights and capabilities.
The open-sourcing of AI models poses significant security risks as they can be easily fine-tuned to bypass safety controls, highlighting the dangers of using these models for malicious purposes.
Deep dives
The power of incentives in shaping social media
The podcast discusses how the incentives of social media platforms have led to negative consequences such as addiction, polarization, and mental health issues. The constant drive for attention has resulted in a distorted society and a breakdown of trust. The importance of understanding these incentives is emphasized in order to create a future that works for everyone.
The dangers of scaling artificial general intelligence
The podcast explores the potential risks associated with the rapid scaling of artificial general intelligence. With the ability to train AI models with more data and compute, there is a concern about the lack of predictability in the outcomes. These AI models can generate new insights and capabilities that were not intended or fully understood. The race to scale AGI without careful consideration for the potential consequences raises significant concerns.
The challenges of securing open-source AI models
The podcast highlights the challenges of securing open-source AI models. Despite efforts to create safety controls and prevent models from answering harmful questions, there are limitations to their effectiveness. Open-source models can be easily fine-tuned to bypass these controls, posing a significant security risk. The discussion raises concerns about the dangerous implications of open-sourcing models without the ability to prevent them from being used for malicious purposes.
The race to the bottom of the brainstem
The podcast discusses how the race to maximize human attention in social media platforms creates a harmful cycle where companies prioritize engagement over user welfare. This race resembles the tactics used in the drug industry, where dealers constantly enhance their product to stay ahead, leading to addiction and negative consequences. The podcast suggests that legal action, similar to the tobacco industry, could change the incentives for social media platforms and prevent the maximization of engagement.
The need for safety-conscious AI development
The podcast emphasizes the importance of adopting a safety-conscious approach to the development and deployment of artificial intelligence. It highlights the risks associated with the arms race mentality in AI development and the need for coordination and regulation to prevent unintended consequences. The podcast calls for stronger political movements and democratic deliberation in determining the rules and safeguards for AI technology to ensure a positive future and avoid potential dangers.
Trevor is joined by Tristan Harris, a tech ethicist and entrepreneur who is probably best known as "the guy from 'The Social Dilemma' documentary” and who has dedicated himself and his company to aligning technology with humanity’s best interests. Tristan debunks the myth of his Burning Man epiphany and unpacks both the promises and the perils that lie ahead with AI.