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Yuval Noah Harari on trust, the dangers of AI, power, and revolutions

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Jun 4, 2025

Guest

Yuval Noah Harari

This week, Yuval Noah Harari, a historian and philosopher known for his best-sellers like Sapiens and Homo Deus, discusses AI's trustworthiness and its potential impact on humanity. He emphasizes the need for genuine truth-seeking AI and the historical context of technology's evolution. The conversation explores the differences between intelligence and consciousness, urging a focus on compassion as a guiding principle. With caution about AI's dangers, Yuval advocates for global cooperation and mechanisms to support humanity in navigating this transformative era.

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insights

INSIGHT

Trustworthy AI Needs Ethical Creators

Trustworthy AI depends on the ethical behavior of those who develop it.
Cynical and power-hungry perspectives prevent the creation of benevolent AI.

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ANECDOTE

Tech's Role for LGBT Connection

Yuval Noah Harari used early online dating sites to meet his husband.
Technology helped him find the dispersed LGBT community despite growing up isolated and homophobic.

insights

INSIGHT

Technology Needs Cultural Adoption

The social adoption of writing was a cultural revolution beyond the technical invention.
Transformative technologies depend on social, psychological, and educational changes.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

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Exploring Synthetic Voice Technology and Seamless Monetization

26:15 • 2min

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Trust, AI, and the Fallacy of Power Struggles in Human Interaction

27:51 • 4min

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The Human Essence in AI Development

31:33 • 15min

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Trust and Optimism in Everyday Life

46:50 • 2min

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Rebuilding Trust for a Better Future

48:21 • 4min

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#457

• Mentioned in 37 episodes

21 Lessons for the 21st Century

Yuval Noah Harari

In '21 Lessons for the 21st Century', Yuval Noah Harari tackles the most pressing questions of our time. The book explores issues such as the crisis of liberal democracy, the rise of nationalism, the impact of technological advancements, the threat of terrorism, and the challenges posed by climate change and nuclear war. Harari presents these complex contemporary challenges clearly and accessibly, inviting readers to consider values, meaning, and personal engagement in a world filled with noise and uncertainty. He emphasizes the need for critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity in navigating the future and suggests that individuals must identify strongly with a global community to confront global problems effectively.

#463

• Mentioned in 36 episodes

Nexus

A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI

Yuval Noah Harari

In 'Nexus', Yuval Noah Harari delves into the long-term history of information networks, examining how the flow of information has made and unmade our world. The book takes readers from the Stone Age through significant historical events like the canonization of the Bible, early modern witch-hunts, Stalinism, Nazism, and the resurgence of populism today. Harari discusses the complex relationship between information, truth, bureaucracy, mythology, wisdom, and power, and addresses the urgent choices humanity faces as non-human intelligence threatens our existence. He argues that information networks are the primary driving force shaping human societies and that AI represents a new and critical phase in this history.

#107

• Mentioned in 101 episodes

Homo Deus

A Brief History of Tomorrow

Yuval Noah Harari

In 'Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow', Yuval Noah Harari examines the future of humanity, predicting that in the 21st century, humans will strive for happiness, immortality, and god-like powers. The book discusses how technological developments, such as artificial intelligence and genetic engineering, will shape human society. Harari speculates on the possibilities of overcoming death, creating artificial life, and the potential risks and philosophical implications of these advancements. He also explores the impact of humanism, individualism, and transhumanism on our future and questions the continued dominance of humans in a world increasingly driven by data and algorithms.

#13

• Mentioned in 267 episodes

Sapiens

A Brief History of Humankind

Yuval Noah Harari

This book surveys the history of humankind from the Stone Age to the 21st century, focusing on Homo sapiens. It divides human history into four major parts: the Cognitive Revolution, the Agricultural Revolution, the Unification of Humankind, and the Scientific Revolution. Harari argues that Homo sapiens dominate the world due to their unique ability to cooperate in large numbers through beliefs in imagined realities such as gods, nations, money, and human rights. The book also examines the impact of human activities on the global ecosystem and speculates on the future of humanity, including the potential for genetic engineering and non-organic life.

#544

• Mentioned in 32 episodes

Super Agency

What Could Possibly Go Right with Our AI Future

Reid Hoffman

Reid Hoffman's "Super Agency" presents a positive vision for the future shaped by artificial intelligence. The book explores how AI can amplify human capabilities and agency across various domains. It addresses concerns about AI's potential risks while emphasizing its transformative power. The authors highlight the importance of responsible AI development and deployment. "Super Agency" offers a roadmap for harnessing AI's potential to create a more equitable and prosperous future.

What will it take to create AI that is as trustworthy, if not more trustworthy than humans?

This week, Reid and Aria sit down with Yuval Noah Harari, historian, philosopher, and best-selling author of several books including Nexus, Sapiens and Homo Deus. When it comes to outlook on AI, Yuval, Reid, and Aria agree on the importance of building both human trust in AI and AI that is genuinely truth-seeking, but they differ on how possible it is to achieve.

Together, they dig into their diverging opinions on the outcomes of the AI revolution, global cooperation, and how AI will learn from humans. They also discuss the differences between intelligence and consciousness, and whether conscious AI is a goal worth pursuing.

Yuval turns to history to ground his warnings about AI. Even though he’s cautious about technology, he is critical of cynicism. Yuval shares his philosophy on human compassion as a guiding principle that can allow us to steer away from collapse and ultimately, build a better AI future.

For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/

Topics:

3:38 - Hellos and intros

3:58 - Questions for the Buddha

5:48 - Yuval’s relationship with technology

8:57 - Technologies that help humans share stories and myths

10:37 - Is AI the most significant invention after writing

13:02 - How AI will transform society

20:12 - Guidance for a successful AI revolution

24:24 - Using AI to support humanity's self-correcting mechanisms

26:13 - Midroll

26:45 - How to build self-correcting mechanisms for a better future

31:28 - Humans as parents of AI

36:33 - What political leaders need to do to create a positive AI future

39:11 - Artificial intelligence v.s. artificial consciousness

42:35 - AI as a tool for rebuilding trust

44:50 - Rapid-fire Questions

Select mentions:

History of the Franks by Gregory of Tours

Heartstopper

Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger, each episode features an interview with an ambitious builder or deep thinker on a topic, from art to geopolitics and from healthcare to education. Each episode seeks to enhance and advance our discussion about what humanity could possibly get right if we leverage technology—and our collective effort—effectively.

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