Oh God, What Now?

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The ultimate A.I. explainer – Will it kill us all or make us rich?

Aug 5, 2025

Guest

Alex Hern

Join Alex Hern, A.I. writer at The Economist, as he unpacks the complicated landscape of artificial intelligence. Discover the timeline for achieving artificial general intelligence and the jobs at risk of being wiped out. Hern discusses the promises of growth versus the specter of dystopia. Engage in debates about ethical implications, the rivalry between the U.S. and China in AI development, and how AI could reshape our economy and environment. Get insights into why experts are more concerned about AI's impact than the general public!

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INSIGHT

Insider Concern on AI Extinction Risk

AI industry experts worry more about AI risks than the general public does.
While outside views downplay it, insiders fear AI might end civilization.

insights

INSIGHT

AI Helps but Doesn't Replace Fully

AI currently facilitates tasks across many jobs but doesn't replace core human skills.
Job impact depends on how much of the role can be AI-automated.

insights

INSIGHT

Race Dynamic Risks AI Safety

The US-China AI race pressures safety measures due to fears of losing technological advantage.
Prioritizing speed over safety poses existential risk, similar to nuclear deterrence dynamics.

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

Exploring the Dangers and Opportunities of Artificial Intelligence

01:39 • 2min

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Navigating Inequality and the Rise of AI

03:30 • 2min

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The Paradox of AI: Expert Worries vs. Public Perception

05:49 • 4min

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The Race for AI Supremacy: Ethics and Employment

09:37 • 28min

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The Green Future of AI: Balancing Technology and Environment

37:31 • 4min

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Gender, AI, and Economic Disruption

41:26 • 18min

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Exploring Wilderness and Crime: A Deep Dive into Books and Documentaries

59:40 • 4min

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This book is a fixup collection of short stories that tell the history of robotics from its inception to a future where robots are integral to society. The stories are framed by Dr. Susan Calvin, a robopsychologist, recounting her experiences with various robots and the complexities that arise from their interactions with humans. The collection introduces Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics and delves into themes of morality, psychology, and the social implications of creating intelligent machines. The stories feature recurring characters such as Dr. Calvin, Powell, and Donovan, and explore how robots interpret and comply with the Three Laws, often leading to unexpected and thought-provoking outcomes.

In one of the most fascinating episodes we’ve ever done Alex Hern – A.I. writer at The Economist, who writes on A.I. but isn’t one himself – joins us for an ultra-deep dive into the truth about A.I. and what it means. How far off is “artificial general intelligence”? Which jobs would it wipe out? What happens if the promised turbo-growth of 30% a year arrives? And will A.I. turn our world into fully automated luxury capitalism or a sci-fi dystopia? Puny humans Andrew Harrison and Zoë Grünewald heed the call of the machine…

• Don’t miss the new episode of Talk ’90s With Me presented by Miranda Sawyer.

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Escape Routes:

• Alex Hern is playing Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

• Zoë recently read Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer.

• Andrew watched Operation Dark Phone: Murder by Text on C4.

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Presented by Andrew Harrison with Zoë Grünewald. Audio production by Tom Taylor and Robin Leeburn. Art by Jim Parrett. Theme music by Cornershop. Produced by Chris Jones. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.

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