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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 5 podcasts with Tom Davidson

Ranked by the Snipd community
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80 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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64 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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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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