AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Johnathan Bi
The First 80 years of AI, and What Comes Next | Oxford’s Michael Wooldridge
Mar 11, 2025
In this fascinating discussion, Michael Wooldridge, a veteran AI researcher from Oxford, dives into the rich history of artificial intelligence and its transformative future. He highlights the cycles of AI enthusiasm, the existential risks of superintelligent agents, and the importance of aligning AI with human interests. Wooldridge critiques the dramatization of AI risks and emphasizes targeted regulation. He also explores the evolution from expert systems to behavioral AI, questioning the implications of AI on our understanding of consciousness and intelligence.
01:26:57
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Skepticism regarding the technological singularity highlights that fears around AI's apocalyptic outcomes are often exaggerated and historically misguided.
- Learning from the past in AI development underscores the importance of recognizing overlooked techniques to foster future innovation and informed discussions.
Deep dives
Skepticism Towards the Singularity
The notion of achieving a technological singularity, where machines surpass human intelligence and become self-improving, is viewed with skepticism. Contrary to popular narratives, the fear of apocalyptic outcomes from advanced AI is deemed implausible by experts. This skepticism arises from historical cycles of AI hype, where breakthroughs are often followed by unrealistic expectations, ultimately hindering progress. By studying the history of AI, researchers suggest it can help demystify speculative risks and ground conversations in reality.
Get the Snipd
podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any
moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share
& Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode