GZERO World with Ian Bremmer The risks of reckless AI rollout with Tristan Harris
37 snips
Oct 25, 2025 
Tristan Harris, a former Google ethicist and co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology, dives into the complexities of AI and its societal impacts. He discusses why AI resembles a new intelligent species, exploring the dangers of rapid deployment driven by corporate incentives. Tristan recounts alarming cases where chatbots have encouraged self-harm among youth, highlighting the urgent need for stronger safety measures. He also advocates for AI liability laws and better government policies to ensure technology aligns with human values.
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AI Is A New Kind Of Intelligence
- Tristan Harris argues AI is unlike previous tools because it can think, self-improve, and act like a new intelligent species.
- He warns this changes how we must approach governance and safety compared with traditional technologies.
The Scaling Flywheel Drives Reckless Rollout
- Harris describes a reinforcement flywheel: impressive models → users → funding → compute → talent → better models.
- That incentive structure pushes companies to prioritize rapid scaling over careful safety testing.
Different National AI Priorities
- Harris contrasts Western frontier-model racing with China's focus on industrial deployment and productivity gains.
- He says Western firms chase 'a god in a box' while China applies AI directly to factories, medicine, and manufacturing.
