How AI Will Shape Humanity’s Future - Yuval Noah Harari

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

5 Mar 202407:39

Summary

TLDRIn this interview, historian and bestselling author Yuval Noah Harari discusses the rapid pace of technological change and its impact on the future. Harari emphasizes that while every generation perceives change, the current technological revolution is unprecedented, with AI being a unique force capable of making independent decisions and creating new ideas. He warns of the dangers of entrusting power to something we don't fully understand. Harari also touches on his new book for children, 'Unstoppable Us,' which explores the concept of fairness and the role of stories in shaping human conflicts and injustices.

Takeaways

📚 Yuval Noah Harari is a historian, philosopher, and bestselling author known for his book 'Sapiens'.
🌍 Harari views history as the study of change and its relevance to the present and future, rather than just the past.
🚀 Harari has shifted his focus to the future, particularly the impact of technology, which he believes is changing at an unprecedented rate.
🌟 Every generation feels they are experiencing rapid change, but Harari asserts that this time it's real, with uncertainty about the future unlike any other point in human history.
🤖 Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a significant focus of Harari's, who sees it as a potentially dangerous technology due to its ability to make decisions and create new ideas independently.
🧠 Harari emphasizes that AI is different from previous technologies because it can operate beyond the limits of human imagination and organic biochemistry.
📖 Harari's new book, 'Unstoppable Us,' targets young readers to discuss the concept of fairness and the role of stories in human conflicts.
🌐 The world's conflicts are often about the stories people believe, which Harari suggests can be changed through dialogue and finding common ground.
📚 Harari's work encourages readers to understand the power of stories and the potential for change in human societies.
🌈 Harari's perspective offers a hopeful outlook on resolving conflicts by changing the narratives that drive them.

Q & A

What is Yuval Noah Harari's perspective on the study of history?
-Yuval Noah Harari views history not merely as the study of the past, but as the study of change, focusing on how things change and its relevance to the present and future.
How does Harari describe the pace of technological change in the current generation?
-Harari believes that this generation is experiencing an accelerated pace of technological change, unlike any before, to the point where no one can predict what the world will look like in 20 years.
What is Harari's stance on the potential dangers of artificial intelligence (AI)?
-Harari sees AI as extremely dangerous because it is the first technology that can make decisions and create new ideas independently, which is a significant departure from previous technologies.
How does Harari differentiate AI from previous technologies?
-Harari explains that while previous information technologies like the printing press and television were about copying and disseminating human ideas, AI can create entirely new ideas not bound by the limits of human imagination.
What is an example of AI creating new ideas, as mentioned by Harari?
-Harari cites the game of Go, where AI has developed new strategies that no human had ever imagined, showcasing AI's ability to create beyond human thought.
What is the main message of Harari's new book 'Unstoppable Us'?
-The book aims to convey that the world's conflicts and injustices are often rooted in the stories we believe, rather than objective realities, suggesting that changing these stories could potentially resolve conflicts.
Who is the target audience for Harari's book 'Unstoppable Us'?
-The book is intended for children aged eight to twelve, addressing the concept that the world isn't fair and exploring the nature of conflicts and stories.
How does Harari relate the concept of fairness to historical conflicts?
-Harari argues that conflicts are often about the stories people believe in, such as who is favored by God or who has rightful claim to certain lands, rather than tangible resources.
What does Harari suggest as a solution to conflicts based on stories?
-Harari suggests that by changing the stories we believe in, we might be able to resolve conflicts without resorting to violence, by finding a common story that all parties can agree on.
How does Harari view the role of stories in human history?
-Harari believes that humans are storytelling animals and that the major conflicts and injustices in the world are ultimately about the stories we tell ourselves and each other.
What is Harari's opinion on the future relevance of traditional skills?
-Harari points out that today, unlike in the past, nobody knows what skills to teach young people that will still be relevant in 20 years due to the rapid pace of change.

Outlines

00:00

📚 The Historian's Perspective on Change

In this segment, Yuval Noah Harari, a historian, philosopher, and bestselling author of 'Sapiens,' discusses the nature of history as the study of change. He emphasizes that history is not just about the past but also about understanding how things evolve and what that means for the present and future. The conversation touches on the rapid pace of technological change and whether this generation is experiencing something unique compared to the past. Harari asserts that for the first time in human history, there is widespread uncertainty about what the world will look like in 20 years, highlighting the unprecedented nature of current technological advancements.

05:02

🌐 The Impact of AI and the Future of Knowledge

This paragraph delves into the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) on the future and the potential dangers of giving power to something we don't fully understand. Harari argues that AI is different from previous technologies because it can make decisions and create new ideas independently. He provides examples of AI's creative capabilities, such as its impact on social media algorithms and its ability to play games like Go in ways that surpass human imagination. The discussion also explores the idea that conflicts are often based on the stories we believe, suggesting that changing these narratives could be a path to resolution.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Historian

A historian is someone who studies history, focusing on the analysis and interpretation of past events. In the context of the video, Yuval Noah Harari is a historian who views history as the study of change, emphasizing its relevance to the present and future. This perspective is crucial as it shapes Harari's approach to discussing the impact of technology and the uncertainty of the future.

💡Sapiens

Sapiens is a bestselling book by Yuval Noah Harari that explores the entire history of humankind. It is mentioned in the video as a significant work that has contributed to Harari's fame and expertise. The book's popularity and content are indicative of the audience's interest in Harari's insights into human history and evolution.

💡Technological Impact

The technological impact refers to the effects that advancements in technology have on society, culture, and the environment. In the video, Harari discusses the rapid pace of technological change and its potential to reshape the future in ways that are unprecedented, creating uncertainty about what skills will be relevant in 20 years.

💡AI (Artificial Intelligence)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the development of computer systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as learning, problem-solving, and decision-making. In the conversation, Harari and Stephen discuss the potential dangers of AI, particularly when it comes to its ability to make decisions and create new ideas independently of human control.

💡Change

Change refers to the process of becoming different or altering. In the video, Harari emphasizes the importance of understanding change as the core of historical study, which is essential for grasping the implications of current technological developments and preparing for an unpredictable future.

💡Uncertainty

Uncertainty denotes a state of being unsure or in doubt about something. The video highlights the unprecedented uncertainty about the future due to the rapid pace of technological change, which is a departure from the past where, despite political unpredictability, the basic aspects of human life remained relatively stable.

💡Stories

In the context of the video, stories refer to the narratives, beliefs, and myths that humans create and adhere to, which often underlie conflicts and societal structures. Harari argues that understanding these stories is key to addressing global issues, as they shape our perceptions and actions.

💡Fairness

💡Conflict

Conflict refers to a serious disagreement or argument, typically a protracted one. In the video, Harari explains that most conflicts are not over tangible resources but over the stories and beliefs that different groups hold, which can be addressed by changing the narrative.

💡Imagination

Imagination is the faculty or action of forming new ideas, images, or concepts not present to the senses. Harari points out that AI is not limited by human imagination, which is a product of organic biochemistry, suggesting that AI can create ideas beyond human comprehension.

Highlights

Yuval Noah Harari is a historian, philosopher, and bestselling author of 'Sapiens'.

Harari views history as the study of change and its relevance to the present and future.

Harari has shifted focus from the past to the future, particularly the impact of technology.

This generation may be experiencing the most rapid technological change in history.

Harari believes that for the first time, no one can predict what the world will look like in 20 years.

AI is the first technology that can make decisions and create new ideas independently.

AI's decision-making on social media content is an example of its new idea creation.

AI's ability to play Go in ways unimaginable to humans demonstrates its potential for innovation.

Harari's new book, 'Unstoppable Us,' addresses the unfairness of the world to children aged 8 to 12.

Harari suggests that conflicts are often about the stories we believe, not objective realities.

Changing the stories we believe in could potentially resolve conflicts without violence.

Harari's perspective on AI's potential independence and the dangers it poses.

The importance of teaching young people how to deal with AI.

Harari's comparison of AI to the printing press and the atom bomb, emphasizing AI's unique capabilities.

The significance of AI not being limited by organic biochemistry, unlike human imagination.

Harari's discussion on the role of stories in human conflict and the possibility of resolving them through dialogue.

The potential for AI to create entirely new ideas beyond the limits of human imagination.

Harari's optimism about the possibility of changing stories to end conflicts peacefully.