The Foresight Institute Podcast Existential Hope Podcast: Helen Toner | Who gets to decide AI’s future?
May 2, 2025
Helen Toner, Director of Strategy at Georgetown’s CSET and former OpenAI board member, dives into the intricate world of AI governance. She discusses who truly shapes AI’s future, emphasizing the power struggles between the U.S. and China. The talk highlights the urgent need for transparent policies and international cooperation amidst rising tensions. Toner also explores the distinctions between different types of AI and champions the idea of existential hope, proposing proactive approaches to harness AI for solving global challenges like climate change and disease.
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Need for Shared AI Understanding
- AI policy lacks shared clarity about AI capabilities and risks, causing governance challenges.
- Emphasizing measurement, transparency, and if-then governance can build a better collective understanding.
Realistic Paths for AI Cooperation
- Binding international AI treaties like in past eras seem unlikely due to geopolitical tensions.
- Sharing information and political declarations offer promising forms of international AI cooperation today.
Purpose-Driven AI Governance Approach
- Distinguishing AI governance by use cases is more useful than just tool vs AGI.
- Some AI risks need proactive measures; most require reactive, prepared responses.