Future Tense cover image

Future Tense

AI snake oil — its limits, risks, and its thirst for resources

Sep 12, 2024
Sam Altman, a visionary behind Chat GPT, discusses the need for democratic societies to adapt their social contracts as AI's influence grows. Joining him is Princeton's Arvind Narayanan, who critiques the hype surrounding AI while revealing its hidden resource costs, including substantial water and energy consumption. They explore the biases in predictive AI, the urgent need for regulatory measures, and the environmental challenges posed by burgeoning data centers. Their conversation unearths the pressing realities behind AI's promises and pitfalls.
29:08

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Quick takeaways

  • The evolving capabilities of AI are expected to necessitate a fundamental reevaluation of societal structures and employment frameworks.
  • AI's increasing resource consumption, particularly in water and energy, poses significant environmental challenges that require urgent attention for sustainability.

Deep dives

Changing Social Contracts Due to AI

The profound impact of artificial intelligence on society is anticipated to necessitate changes to the social contract over time. The technology is expected to redefine jobs and societal structures, leading to a reevaluation of how people interact with work and technology. Sam Altman, the CEO behind ChatGPT, foresees that as AI evolves, it will raise significant discussions surrounding employment and societal roles. Although he does not predict a total disappearance of jobs, the framework within which societal functions operate may require substantial adjustments.

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