For Humanity: An AI Risk Podcast The Congressman Who Gets AI Extinction Risk— Rep. Bill Foster on the Future of Humanity | For Humanity | Ep. 75
Dec 6, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Congressman Bill Foster, the only PhD scientist in Congress and a former Fermilab physicist, delves into the pressing risks posed by AI. He draws chilling parallels between AI and nuclear threats, highlighting Congress's struggle to keep up with rapid advancements. Foster shares insights on the dangers of confidential computing and the urgent need for chip verification. As a banking subcommittee member, he warns of a looming financial bubble in AI, advocating for greater scientific literacy in government to navigate these challenges.
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From Theater Lighting To Fermilab
- Bill Foster describes founding a theater lighting company that now supplies most U.S. venues.
- He later returned to physics and spent 25 years at Fermilab working on particle collisions.
Last Physicist Standing In Congress
- Foster recalls once being one of three PhD physicists in Congress and now being the last remaining.
- He emphasizes the scarcity of scientific literacy on Capitol Hill amid AI debates.
AI Risk Mirrors Nuclear Risk
- Bill Foster compares AI risk to nuclear risk and says magnitude is similar though less mapped.
- He warns we can err by over- or under-regulating AI and must weigh both sides carefully.
