"The Cognitive Revolution" | AI Builders, Researchers, and Live Player Analysis

Balaji Srinivasan on Polytheistic AI, Human-AI Symbiosis, and Prospects for AI Control

Dec 12, 2023

02:16:16

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Balaji Srinivasan, former CTO at Coinbase and investor, discusses polytheistic AI, human-AI symbiosis, and prospects for AI control. They explore the potential power and limitations of AI, challenges in ensuring robustness, offense and defense in technology, decentralized AI, the potential path to an AI disaster, cryptographic control, shifts in the American workforce, and the polarization of AI discourse.

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Quick takeaways

AI control should be prioritized over AI safety due to governments and regulatory bodies favoring power and control.

Decentralized tech has an advantage in AI disruption, as it can train on vast data without copyright constraints.

Countries like India and Israel will play key roles in the decentralized tech movement, providing competition to US and Chinese industries.

AI is an amplifier of human intelligence, not a separate entity, and requires human involvement for action and physical actuation.

AI advancements may disrupt certain job markets, but it is not an existential threat and can enhance human potential.

Deep dives

AI control and AI safety

The podcast episode discusses the distinction between AI control and AI safety. It highlights that while many believe AI safety is important, the focus should be on AI control as governments and regulatory bodies prioritize power and control rather than safety.

The Impact of AI on Jobs and Medicine in the Future

02:42

Impact of AI on Blue Collar Jobs and AI Safety Concerns

02:57

The Illusion of US Government's Power and Influence

02:02

Challenges in AI Control and Potential for Amplified Intelligence

02:13

Introduction

2min

The Future of AI and Its Potential Power

13min

Robustness of AI models and Sponsor Ads

3min

Robustness in AI Systems

13min

Discussion on Offense and Defense in Technology and the Political Axis of AI Disruption

5min

Decentralized AI and its Relation to Freedom of Speech, Transactions, and Computing

18min

AI: Unpredictability and Power

23min

The Potential Path to an AI Disaster

21min

AI and Cryptographic Control

12min

10.

Shifts in the American Workforce and the Rise of Legal Work

9min

11.

Replacing God with Government and the Misplaced Faith in the US Government

3min

12.

Polarization and the Importance of a Neutral Perspective

13min

13.

Reflections on the AI Moment and Mention of Turpentine Network and OmniKey

2min

Balaji Srinivasan, investor, former CTO at Coinbase and GP at a16z, and writer of The Network State, joins Nathan to discuss polytheistic AI and AI gods, human-AI symbiosis, how AI will be controlled, and much more. If you need an ecommerce platform, check out our sponsor Shopify: https://shopify.com/cognitive for a $1/month trial period.

We're hiring across the board at Turpentine and for Erik's personal team on other projects he's incubating. He's hiring a Chief of Staff, EA, Head of Special Projects, Investment Associate, and more. For a list of JDs, check out: eriktorenberg.com.

SPONSORS:

Shopify is the global commerce platform that helps you sell at every stage of your business. Shopify powers 10% of ALL eCommerce in the US. And Shopify's the global force behind Allbirds, Rothy's, and Brooklinen, and 1,000,000s of other entrepreneurs across 175 countries.From their all-in-one e-commerce platform, to their in-person POS system – wherever and whatever you're selling, Shopify's got you covered. With free Shopify Magic, sell more with less effort by whipping up captivating content that converts – from blog posts to product descriptions using AI. Sign up for $1/month trial period: https://shopify.com/cognitive

Omneky is an omnichannel creative generation platform that lets you launch hundreds of thousands of ad iterations that actually work customized across all platforms, with a click of a button. Omneky combines generative AI and real-time advertising data. Mention "Cog Rev" for 10% off.

X/SOCIAL:

@labenz (Nathan)

@balajis (Balaji)

@eriktorenberg (Erik)

@CogRev_Podcast

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) - Episode Preview

(00:06:07) - Evolution of AI Systems

(00:09:39) - Challenges of AI Robustness

(00:29:54) - Intersection of AI and Politics

(00:52:14) - Regulation

(00:52:44) - Slippery slope of precedent setting

(00:54:00) - Role of AI in political chaos

(00:54:41) - Emergence of decentralized AI

(01:05:39) - AI's future as amplified intelligence

(01:1300) - Polytheistic model of AI

(01:32:00) - Role of AI in Habitat Degradation

(01:33:32) - AI's ability to do differential diagnosis

(01:34:04) - ABC of economic apocalypse: AI, Bitcoin, China

(01:36:00) - Evolution of AI in chess and medicine

(01:38:22) - Difference between AI existential threat and economic disruption

(01:40:19) - Impact of cryptography on public infrastructure

(02:07:40) - Role of tribalism in AI

This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.

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"The Cognitive Revolution" | AI Builders, Researchers, and Live Player Analysis

Balaji Srinivasan on Polytheistic AI, Human-AI Symbiosis, and Prospects for AI Control