Ep59. Part 2: Could a new global institution help Order the Disorder?
Aug 6, 2024
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In this engaging discussion, Jamie Metzl, an author and expert on existential risks, explores the creation of a global institution to manage emerging global threats. He highlights the vital need for international cooperation in addressing challenges like climate change and AI. The conversation contrasts the proactive European approach to technology regulation with the more reactive American stance. Metzl, Jason, and Alex also discuss how the EU could leverage its market power to foster global collaboration on pressing issues, advocating for a cohesive response to humanity's most significant risks.
The establishment of a new global institution is essential for regulating interconnected existential risks like climate change and pandemics.
Balancing innovation with ethical considerations requires robust regulatory frameworks to prevent monopolistic control in AI and biotechnology industries.
Deep dives
The Intersection of AI, Genomics, and Healthcare
The potential of combining artificial intelligence, genomics, and big data in healthcare is vast, promising personalized medical care that leverages an individual’s complete genomic information. This entails the possibility of sequencing genomes at birth and continuously updating patient data throughout their lives, allowing AI systems to analyze complex datasets. However, the challenge lies in ensuring that these advancements are implemented under a framework of trust and regulation to avoid exploitative profit motives by corporations. The discussion emphasizes the need for careful governance to balance innovation with ethical considerations, particularly in dramatically capital-intensive fields.
Regulating Corporate Power and Market Capture
Concerns are raised regarding the danger of market capture by powerful corporations in the rapidly evolving domains of AI and biotechnology. The historical analogy to Rockefeller's oil industry highlights the risks of monopolistic control, which can lead to negative impacts on democracy and society at large. The conversation stresses that competition is essential, but requires robust regulatory frameworks to ensure fair practices and prevent monopolistic powers from dictating public welfare. Establishing effective antitrust laws is central to maintaining balance in these technology-driven industries.
Global Governance for Existential Risks
The idea of creating a new agency focused on global existential risks is central to discussions on addressing interconnected threats like climate change, pandemics, and technological disruptions. A framework that fosters international cooperation and preemptive measures can help manage potential global crises better than current practices. Examples from previous institutional efforts illustrate both successes and shortcomings in managing these risks, underlining the need for innovative governance structures. Effective action requires not only national regulatory muscles but also a collaborative approach that spans international borders.
Consciousness Raising Versus Action in Addressing Global Issues
While raising awareness about global issues is crucial, the discussion highlights the importance of actionable solutions rather than mere consciousness raising. The conversation critiques reliance on outrage-driven activism and emphasizes the need for concrete problem-solving and regulatory measures. Experiences from past crises demonstrate that a proactive and cohesive approach, rather than reactive measures, is essential for effective governance. The necessity for collaboration among nations to address shared existential threats exemplifies the urgency of transitioning from dialogue to decisive action.
In part 2 of our discussion with Jamie Metzl, author of Superconvergence, Jaime tells Jason about his idea for creating a new global body tasked with regulated existential risks. Jaime is a super order who sees most of the threats facing humanity as fundamentally linked and wishes to adopt one coherent and coordinated approach to Order the Disorder. Trying to unpick how such regulation could be done, Jamie, Jason and Alex each analyse the differences between an American and European approach to regulating new industries.
Alex and Jason close the episode by proposing how the EU could use its trading might to incentivize global co-ordination on issues like climate change and AI.