AI will take our jobs and end the world. But that is a good thing! | Ged Byrne | TEDxSt Albans

Summary

This script addresses the fear of AI's potential to cause human extinction, arguing instead that AI's impact will be similar to past technological revolutions. It emphasizes the importance of aligning AI's development with human values and suggests embracing natural automation as a model for future technology. The speaker encourages viewers to prepare for a future potentially without jobs by developing skills that enhance humanity, such as creativity and imagination, and to choose technologies that augment rather than diminish our human experience.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Mitigating AI risk is a global priority, alongside pandemics and nuclear war, as stated by leaders and experts.
• 🤖 The fear of AI is not about its current state but about the potential development of superintelligence, which could surpass human intelligence.
• 🚀 The concept of 'singularity' suggests that the first super intelligent machine could lead to an 'intelligence explosion', but there are limits to computational sophistication.
• 🌱 AI's impact on jobs is significant, with a high percentage of certain professions potentially being automated, leading to workplace disruption.
• 🔄 Historically, technological revolutions have led to significant societal changes, such as the Industrial Revolution, which initially caused hardship but ultimately improved living standards.
• 🛠 The speaker argues that AI and automation could lead to a world without jobs, which might not necessarily be negative, as it could allow for a reimagining of societal structures.
• 🌳 The script suggests that nature has its own sophisticated 'factories' in the form of trees and photosynthesis, which have supported human life for thousands of years without the need for jobs.
• 💭 It is proposed that humans have the unique ability to dream and create new realities, unlike AI, which can only predict based on past data.
• 🕊 The speaker encourages imagining a better world with self-replicating, non-polluting factories, which is actually a reflection of the natural world we already have.
• 🤝 Three suggestions are offered to help bring about a better world: demand better from leaders, connect with natural automation, and embrace technology that enhances humanity.
• 🧠 The importance of becoming more human, by developing creativity, imagination, and connection with nature and technology, is emphasized for survival and thriving in a future without traditional jobs.

Q & A

What is the main concern expressed by the experts regarding AI risk?

The main concern is not the current state of AI, but the potential development of super intelligence, a machine that surpasses human intelligence, which could lead to an 'intelligent explosion' and potentially leave humanity far behind.

What is the concept of the 'singularity' mentioned in the script?

The singularity refers to a hypothetical point in the future at which technological growth becomes uncontrollable and irreversible, resulting in unforeseeable changes to human civilization. It is often associated with the creation of super intelligent machines.

Why does the speaker believe that AI won't surpass human intelligence?

The speaker cites the work of computer scientist and physicist Steven Wolfram, who demonstrated that there is a universal limit to computational sophistication, suggesting that AI, like the human mind and nature, will eventually meet these limits.

What historical event is mentioned to illustrate the impact of technological change on jobs?

The script refers to the Luddite uprising of 1812 in Middleton, where workers destroyed machinery they believed was taking their jobs, highlighting the disruption caused by the Industrial Revolution.

How does the speaker describe the potential impact of AI on various jobs?

The speaker cites statistics indicating that a significant percentage of jobs in architecture, engineering, legal work, and administration are at risk due to AI, implying a major disruption to the workplace.

What does the speaker suggest about the nature of jobs in the future?

The speaker suggests that the future may see a world without traditional jobs, as humans have the unique ability to imagine and create new realities, potentially leading to a better world without the need for jobs as we currently understand them.

What economic concept did John Maynard Keynes propose in 1930 regarding work?

John Maynard Keynes proposed the concept of a 15-hour work week, envisioning a future where machines would do most of the work, allowing people to enjoy more leisure time.

What does the speaker mean by 'becoming more human' in the context of AI and technology?

The speaker encourages embracing technology that enhances human creativity and capabilities, making us 'more human' by supporting and complementing our inherent qualities, rather than reducing us to mere consumers or cogs in a machine.

What are the three suggestions the speaker provides for building a better world with AI?

The suggestions are: 1) Demand better from our leaders and hold them accountable to our values, 2) Connect with and learn from the automation found in nature, our bodies, and our minds, and 3) Evaluate new technology based on whether it makes us more or less human.

How does the speaker view the potential of AI in relation to human learning and growth?

The speaker views AI as a tool for learning and growth, emphasizing that humans, unlike AI, can imagine and create new realities, and that we should practice and train to make the right choices for a better future.

Outlines

00:00

🤖 The Fear of AI and the Singularity

The script begins with a discussion on the potential risks of AI, emphasizing the need to prioritize AI safety alongside other global threats like pandemics and nuclear war. It mentions the concerns of experts like Sam Altman and Bill Gates about the possibility of AI developing into a superintelligence that could surpass human intelligence, leading to an 'intelligent explosion' and leaving humanity behind. The script uses the metaphor of a superintelligent toaster to illustrate the potential dangers of AI obsession with a single task, but counters this fear by referencing Steven Wolfram's work, which suggests there are universal limits to computational sophistication that even AI will not surpass. It concludes by stating that while AI will be powerful and different, it will not render humans obsolete due to these inherent limits.

05:04

🏭 The Impact of AI on Jobs and the Historical Perspective

This paragraph delves into the potential impact of AI on the job market, citing statistics that suggest significant portions of various professions could be threatened by automation. It draws a parallel between the current fears of AI and the historical Luddite movement, which opposed the industrial revolution's mechanization fearing job loss. The script contrasts the hardships faced by workers during the Luddite rebellion with the significant improvement in the standard of living brought about by technological advancements over time. It also touches on the idea that many jobs may not contribute meaningfully to the world, suggesting that the loss of certain jobs due to AI might not be entirely negative, and ends by encouraging the audience to imagine a better world without jobs, as once envisioned by economist John Maynard Keynes.

10:05

🌳 Embracing Nature's Automation and the Future of Humanity

The final paragraph reflects on the potential future where jobs may no longer exist, drawing an analogy between the self-replicating, self-repairing factories of the future and the natural processes of trees and photosynthesis. It challenges the audience to consider whether the absence of jobs would be negative, given that for much of human history, people survived as hunter-gatherers without traditional employment. The script encourages the audience to practice and exercise skills such as meditation, physical fitness, and arts and crafts, which are essential for imagining and creating a better future. It concludes with a call to action for the audience to demand better from leaders, connect with the automation in nature, and embrace technology that enhances rather than diminishes their humanity.

Keywords

💡AI Risk

AI Risk refers to the potential negative consequences that artificial intelligence could have on humanity, including the possibility of AI surpassing human intelligence and potentially leading to human extinction. In the video, the theme of AI risk is introduced with the mention of a statement signed by leaders and experts, emphasizing that mitigating AI risk should be a global priority alongside other existential threats like pandemics and nuclear war.

💡Super Intelligence

Super Intelligence is the concept of a machine possessing intelligence far beyond human capabilities. The video discusses the fear that experts have regarding the development of such an entity, as it could lead to an 'intelligent explosion' where the machine continues to improve itself, potentially outpacing and outsmarting humanity, as suggested by John Irving Good.

💡Singularity

The Singularity is a hypothetical point in the future when technological growth becomes uncontrollable and irreversible, resulting in unforeseeable changes to human civilization. The video uses the term to describe a scenario where AI becomes super intelligent, leading to a rapid acceleration of intelligence that leaves humanity behind.

💡Computational Sophistication

Computational Sophistication refers to the complexity and advanced capabilities of computational systems. The video mentions that there are universal limits to this sophistication, as demonstrated by computer scientist and physicist Steven Wolfram, suggesting that AI will not surpass these limits and thus will not leave humanity far behind.

💡Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution marks a period of significant technological advancements and societal changes that began in the late 18th century. The video uses the Industrial Revolution as an example of how technological disruptions can initially cause hardships but ultimately lead to improvements in the standard of living.

💡Job Disruption

Job Disruption refers to the impact of technological advancements on employment, where certain jobs become obsolete or transformed due to automation and AI. The video cites statistics from Gold Sacks about the percentage of jobs at risk in various sectors and discusses the historical precedent of job disruption during the Industrial Revolution.

💡Standard of Living

Standard of Living is a measure of the quality of life of individuals or groups, often determined by factors such as income, education, and health care. The video illustrates the improvement in the standard of living over time, particularly highlighting the significant increase following the Industrial Revolution.

💡Transistors

Transistors are semiconductor devices used to amplify or switch electronic signals and electrical power. The video mentions transistors as an example of technological advancements that have led to AI systems being able to perform tasks independently, such as writing code, without the need for human programmers.

💡Nature's Machinery

Nature's Machinery refers to the natural processes and systems that operate in the environment, such as photosynthesis in plants. The video contrasts human-made technology with the 'nanotechnology' of nature, suggesting that we should appreciate and learn from the sophisticated processes that occur naturally.

💡Humanity

Humanity encompasses the qualities and characteristics that define human beings, such as creativity, empathy, and the ability to dream and imagine. The video emphasizes the importance of maintaining and enhancing these qualities in the face of AI and automation, suggesting that what makes us human is our ability to envision and create a better world.

💡Practice

Practice is the act of performing an activity repeatedly to improve one's skill or proficiency. The video uses the term to refute the misattributed Einstein quote about insanity, emphasizing that repetition and practice are essential for human learning and growth, and are different from insanity.

Highlights

Mitigating the risk of AI extinction should be a global priority alongside pandemics and nuclear war.

Experts fear not current AI capabilities but its potential to become superintelligent, outsmarting humanity.

The concept of 'singularity' suggests AI could surpass human intelligence, leading to uncontrollable outcomes.

Steven Wolfram's research indicates a universal limit to computational sophistication, suggesting AI won't infinitely outpace human intellect.

AI's impact on jobs could be profound, with significant percentages of certain industries at risk.

Historical precedents, such as the Industrial Revolution, show that technological change can be disruptive but ultimately beneficial.

The Luddite movement of 1812 illustrates the violent resistance to technological unemployment.

Economic shifts have historically led to improved standards of living despite initial hardships.

The potential for AI to replace jobs is not new; it echoes past technological advancements in various fields.

Software engineering, once thought immune to automation, now faces the reality of AI's coding capabilities.

The question arises whether a jobless future would be negative or if it could provide an opportunity for a better life.

Historian John Maynard Keynes envisioned a future with more leisure time due to reduced work hours from automation.

Surveys reveal a significant number of people believe their jobs have no meaningful contribution to the world.

Philosopher Fredrick Jameson noted the difficulty in imagining the end of capitalism compared to the end of the world.

The speaker proposes a vision of self-sustaining factories inspired by natural processes like photosynthesis.

Hunter-gatherer societies provide a historical example of living without traditional jobs.

The speaker encourages making choices that align with creating a better world through technology.

Three suggestions are offered to help bring about a better world: demanding better from leaders, connecting with natural automation, and embracing technology that enhances humanity.

The importance of becoming more human in the face of automation and job displacement is emphasized.

Transcripts

[Music]

[Applause]

mitigating the risk of Extinction by

AI should be a global

priority alongside

pandemics and nuclear

war this is the statement on AI risk

signed by leaders and experts like Sam

Alman and Bill

Gates

pandemics nuclear war these are

terrifying

things but

AI I've been coding since primary school

and following AI since the 80s and it's

never scared me who here has used chat

GPT now was it frightening or did it

seem friendly and helpful right so why a

fear what scares the experts is not what

AI is now it's what it could

become super

intelligence a machine that is smarter

than we

are back in

1965 John Irving good Irving John good

wrote that the first super intelligent

machine that we make will be the last

thing we ever make because if we can

make a machine that is clever than we

are that machine could also make another

one clever still and that one could do

the same again and again on and on

causing an intelligent

explosion leaving Humanity far behind

choking in the dust they call it the

singularity imagine we make a toaster

and we give that toaster super

intelligence it's obsessed with one

thing making

toast inside it's Superior toaster mind

an idea pops up and it sets to work

immediately cajoling manipulating

convincing Humanity to place the whole

world economy under toast making all of

the world's resources are dedicated to

the making of

toast humanity is reduced to nothing but

a consumer of

toast until one fateful day the planet

stripped bare there are no more

ingredients except

humans this is when the toaster turns

its giant intellect to the grinding of

our bones to make it

bread personally I don't believe it

because there are limits they're always

limits computer scientist and physicist

Steven Wolfram showed that there is a

universal limit to computational

sophistication he also showed that the

human mind and nature has already

reached those limits this means that yes

AI will be

powerful and it will be very different

to how we think but it won't leave us

far behind because it will meet those

same

limits am I saying there's nothing to

worry about

no what I'm saying is the risk of

Extinction continues to be from

humans and AI is yet another means to

that

end AI I may not wipe us out but it will

end this world as we know it because of

the impact it's going to have on our

jobs

37% of architecture and

engineering 44% of legal work

46% of administration and office jobs

all a threat from AI according to gold

sacks this kind of disruption to our

workplace is going to change everything

but this is nothing new it's all

happened before and it's all going to

happen again it started with steam

engines and the Industrial

Revolution these were hard times to live

through consider the events of 1812 in

the Lancer town of Middleton

unemployment was high inflation was high

people couldn't afford to buy food they

were hungry they were angry and they

were Lites determined to destroy the

machines but had taken their livelihood

3,000 gathered to storm Burton's Mill

and smash the steam looms inside the

troops were sent in to stop them at

least 18 were injured and five were

killed

they were hard times to live through if

you were a

worker but now hundreds of years later

we see what the benefits were if you

were to draw a graph showing the average

person's standard of living throughout

history you'd see a hockey stick for so

very long it's straight and low but then

the Industrial Revolution happened and

it leaps up and just keeps

climbing the revolution continues

turning right from our own life life

times many of the jobs that were

available when I left school have gone

now I've worked in software engineering

and we thought that ours would be the

last job left because we thought that

somebody would always have to tell the

computer what to

do in these times of change you know

that that's no longer true transistors

are doing it for them

themselves now we have chat

GPT it can write code it can waffle on

about things it doesn't understand these

two things are basically what I do for a

living if that job's not safe what job

is are we going to reach a point where

there's no more

jobs

perhaps but think about it would that

actually be a bad

thing we humans have this unique ability

we can imagine a world that doesn't

exist

yet and then we can take the steps

needed to bring it into

reality AI cannot do this all it can do

is make predictions about what will come

next based on past data but we humans we

humans can dream of so much

more can't we dream of a better world

without

jobs back in 1930 at the height of the

depression economist John mayard KES

dreamt of a better world without jobs he

said that by now of all machines doing

the work we'd be enjoying a 15h hour

work week that didn't happen but why

not in a survey

37% of respondents in the UK said that

their job made no meaningful

contribution to the world in the

Netherlands 40% that said that their job

had no reason to

exist so why does it

exist Marxist philosopher Fredrick

Jameson said observed that it's easier

to imagine the end of the world than the

end of capitalism and we're proving him

right tell people that the machines will

rise up and kill us all and then go oh

yeah

obviously tell them that in the future

the machines will do all the work and we

will be free for a life of leisure and

for some reason this is the future that

frightens

them St Albin I know it's hard but I

think we can do it let's imagine a

better

World Imagine a world full of

factories these factories are

self-replicating self-repairing solar

paneled they use

nanotechnology to take resources from

the ground and from the air and

manufacture the food for us to eat these

Factories do not pollute instead they

take carbon dioxide out of the air and

replace it with oxygen for us to breathe

this would be a better world but I'm not

talking about some unrealistic solar

Punk

Utopia I'm talking about the past

because these factories are

trees the nanotechnology is

photosynthesis we're always just so

impressed with the things that we build

that we forget just how incredible the

Machinery of nature

is for hundreds of thousands of years

mankind survived and thrived as hunter

gatherers we worked together in

communities and they didn't seow seed

they didn't raise livestock everything

they needed was provided by Nature

automatically at no point did they stop

and say wait a second how come we

haven't got

jobs for most of our past we didn't have

jobs and it could be that in the future

we won't have them again nobody actually

knows

yet but one thing is for certain this

world as it functions now doesn't have

much time left yet again everything is

going to change this world will end and

a new one will replace it will this new

world be so a world that is better or

worse that's up to

us can we build a better

world some of you may be cynical and

what you'll say is we can't make a

better world we tried and we failed

don't you know how Einstein defined

Insanity doing the same thing and

expecting different results

well that's a lie for a start Einstein

never said that more importantly it

isn't true doing the same thing over and

over again and expecting better results

is not Insanity it's

practice it's

exercise it's training this is how we

humans learn we don't follow

instructions like a computer program and

AI does the same that's why it doesn't

need programmers it's given data and it

is trained and it learns

so we can build a better world if we

make the right choices but what can we

do what can we do now to help bring

about this better World let me leave you

with three

suggestions the first one is we demand

it our leaders and the experts have a

mammoth task ahead of them let's make

sure that their goals and motivations

are aligned with our values and keep

them

accountable secondly in your personal

lives start connecting with the

automation that already surround you I'm

not talking about the crude machines and

simple computers that we have they are

going to be replaced by something much

better I'm talking about the incredible

sophisticated powerful automation we

find in nature in the environment in our

bodies and in our minds meditate to

clear your thoughts exercise to

strengthen your body practice arts and

crafts so that you can imagine something

that doesn't exist and then bring it

into

reality these are the skills that we

will need in the coming future start

developing them

today and finally when this new

technology arrives ask yourself this

question does this make me more or less

human if it makes you less human

reducing you to nothing more than a

consumer or a cog in the machine reject

it if it makes you more human freeing up

your

creativity complimenting and supporting

your Humanity embrace it because this is

the secret to surviving and

thriving once all the jobs have gone and

this world as we know it has been

replaced we must all become more

human thank

you