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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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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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17 snips
Sep 8, 2023 • 1h 56min

Tom Davidson on How Quickly AI Could Automate the Economy

AI researcher Tom Davidson discusses the risks of AI automation, including the potential automation of AI research. Topics include the pace of AI progress, historical analogies, AI benchmarks, takeoff speed, bottlenecks, economic impacts, and the future of AI for humanity.
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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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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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