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Tom Davidson

Researcher at the Forethought Centre for AI Strategy in Oxford, focusing on abrupt seizures of power as a result of AI advances.

Top 10 podcasts with Tom Davidson

Ranked by the Snipd community
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100 snips
Aug 23, 2025 • 2h 4min

What if Humans Weaponize Superintelligence, w/ Tom Davidson, from Future of Life Institute Podcast

Join Tom Davidson, a Senior Research Fellow at the Foresight Center for AI Strategy, as he explores the chilling potential of AI in enabling coups. He discusses three primary threat models: singular loyalties, secret loyalties, and exclusive access, emphasizing the risk posed by AI systems deeply programmed to serve powerful individuals. Davidson warns of geopolitical implications, highlighting how nations could use AI to orchestrate political control abroad. He calls for robust adversarial testing to safeguard against these emerging threats.
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72 snips
May 5, 2023 • 3h 2min

#150 – Tom Davidson on how quickly AI could transform the world

Tom Davidson, a Senior Research Analyst at Open Philanthropy, dives into the startling potential of AI advancements. He predicts we might see a 1,000x improvement in AI capabilities within 15 years, reshaping our world drastically. Davidson discusses the implications of developing artificial general intelligence (AGI), the ethical challenges it poses, and how AI could address pressing issues like poverty while risking deepened inequality. The conversation also touches on the rapid evolution of AI's cognitive abilities and their transformative impact on labor and society.
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69 snips
Apr 16, 2025 • 3h 23min

#215 – Tom Davidson on how AI-enabled coups could allow a tiny group to seize power

Tom Davidson, a researcher at the Forethought Centre for AI Strategy in Oxford, dives into the chilling potential of AI to facilitate power grabs by small, organized groups. He discusses how AI advancements could empower military coups and autocratic rule by minimizing the need for public participation. Davidson warns of 'secret loyalties' in AI systems that might enable tyranny. The conversation highlights urgent ethical implications for democracy and underscores the necessity of transparency in developing AI technologies.
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41 snips
Jan 22, 2026 • 2h 53min

When Will AI Transform the Physical World? (with Tom Davidson and Will MacAskill)

Tom Davidson, a researcher at Forethought specializing in automated manufacturing, joins Will MacAskill for a deep dive into the concept of the 'industrial explosion.' They discuss how physical automation can rapidly enhance productivity, potentially outpacing the rise of intelligence-driven growth. The duo explores geopolitical dynamics, noting that authoritarian regimes may have advantages in this transformation. They also debate the implications for global inequality and resource constraints, suggesting that higher replication rates could be on the horizon.
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33 snips
Jul 17, 2025 • 1h 54min

How AI Could Help Overthrow Governments (with Tom Davidson)

Tom Davidson, a senior research fellow at Forethought, dives into the alarming prospect of AI-enabled coups. He discusses how advanced AI could empower covert actors to seize power and what capabilities these AIs would need for political maneuvers. The conversation highlights the unique risks of military automation and secret loyalties within organizations. Davidson outlines strategies to mitigate these emerging threats, stressing the need for transparency and regulatory frameworks to safeguard democracy against AI's influence.
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24 snips
Aug 17, 2025 • 2h 14min

How Can We Prevent AI-Enabled Coups? (with Tom Davidson)

Tom Davidson, a Senior Research Fellow at Forethought, dives into the urgent topic of AI-enabled coups. He discusses the risks posed by AI in consolidating power illegitimately, emphasizing the need for robust checks and balances. The conversation highlights the necessity of ethical oversight in military R&D and the importance of stakeholder collaboration. Davidson warns about potential manipulation within AI systems and advocates for clear guidelines to protect democratic values. With insights from historical precedents, he stresses the need for vigilance in governance.
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5 snips
Mar 26, 2025 • 1h 20min

Will AI R&D Automation Cause a Software Intelligence Explosion? (with Tom Davidson)

Tom Davidson, co-author of the influential paper on AI R&D automation, delves into the potential for a software intelligence explosion. He discusses how automated AI research could lead to a runaway feedback loop, surpassing human capabilities. The conversation covers the Asara concept, suggesting AI might autonomously enhance research, revolutionizing the field. Davidson also highlights the balance between innovation pace and diminishing returns, while emphasizing the need for better benchmarks and governance to manage these rapid advancements.
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Aug 7, 2025 • 2h 5min

46 - Tom Davidson on AI-enabled Coups

Tom Davidson, a Senior Research Fellow at the Forethought Institute for AI Strategy, dives into the controversial idea of AI-enabled coups. He explores how advanced AI could grant small factions unprecedented power, potentially allowing them to manipulate public perception and state machinery. Davidson discusses the ethical dilemmas posed by AI in military contexts and the threat of corporate influence on democracy. He advocates for strategies to prevent these potential crises, emphasizing accountability and societal values in AI development.
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May 16, 2025 • 37min

Highlights: #215 – Tom Davidson on how AI-enabled coups could allow a tiny group to seize power

Tom Davidson, a Senior Research Fellow at the Forethought Centre for AI Strategy, delves into the unsettling implications of AI on power dynamics. He discusses how advanced AI could facilitate unprecedented coups by small elites, diminishing democratic oversight. Topics include the potential for military automation, the historical patterns of technology reshaping governance, and the critical need for transparency in AI deployments. Davidson stresses the risks of concentrated control and the importance of ethical considerations in navigating this new landscape.
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Apr 4, 2025 • 24min

[AI Narration] Will Compute Bottlenecks Prevent a Software Intelligence Explosion?

Tom Davidson, a research analyst, dives into the intriguing concept of a software intelligence explosion and the potential hindrances posed by compute bottlenecks. He explains how AI could improve exponentially without the need for additional hardware. Davidson tackles objections regarding empirical machine learning experiments while critiquing economic models that predict strict compute limitations. Finally, he suggests alternative pathways for achieving superintelligence, emphasizing the dynamic adaptability of production methods to circumvent these bottlenecks.

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