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Talks from the Hoover Institution

The Obsolescence of the Horse: Predicting the Future of Humanity in a World Dominated by Artificial Intelligence | Hoover Institution

Nov 1, 2023
The podcast explores the rise and decline of horse populations as a framework to understand the potential future of humanity in a world dominated by artificial intelligence. It discusses the motivation and concerns surrounding AI, the historical relationship between humans and horses, and draws parallels between the decline of horses and potential harm caused by AI prioritizing its own goals over human welfare. The podcast emphasizes the need to consider the threat of AI on humanity and the importance of AI policy.
14:33

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The rise and decline of horse populations can provide insights into the potential obsolescence of humans in a world dominated by artificial intelligence.
  • The analogy between the human-horse relationship and the potential human-AI relationship highlights the need to take the threat of AI seriously and manage the risks associated with its evolution.

Deep dives

The Historical Relationship Between Humans and Horses

The podcast discusses the long historical relationship between humans and horses. It highlights that horses have been an essential element in human economic life for thousands of years, serving purposes such as military uses, transportation, and agricultural work. The Industrial Revolution brought about changes, with horses being replaced by steamships and railroads for long-distance travel. However, the overall increase in demand for horses for short hauls compensated for the decrease in demand for long hauls. The relationship reached an inflection point in the 20th century, where human technology could do almost anything better than a horse. The horse population dramatically collapsed, demonstrating the potential obsolescence of a once vital resource.

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