Episode Details

On history-ending technology.   [Patreon Exclusive]   The economist Tyler Cowen recently suggested that radical technological change today marks a turning point in history. Is he right, and how would we evaluate such a claim?   Should we be sceptical about these big claims, especially given all the Silicon Valley-driven hype around AI? Or is 'radical agnosticism' the right stance?   And what about calls to rein-in the development of artificial intelligence, especially when these calls come from Silicon Valley itself?   Readings:

• Existential risk, AI, and the inevitable turn in human history, Tyler Cowen, Marginal Revolution
• Is this the end of “The End of History”?, Robert Stark
• The call for an AI halt disguises the real problems with tech, Jason Walsh, Tech Central
• /306/ AI Capitalism: Inhuman Power (unlocked Bungacast Reading Club episode)