The Gray Area — Yuval Noah Harari on the AI revolution

Via Vox

Here’s a summary of the interview with Yuval Noah Harari:

The interview focuses on Harari’s views on information networks, artificial intelligence (AI), and their impact on society and democracy. Key points:

1. Harari discusses the paradox of human intelligence: we’re smart enough to build advanced technologies but potentially foolish enough to destroy ourselves and our environment.
2. He argues that the problem isn’t human nature, but rather the quality of information we receive. Good people with bad information make bad decisions.
3. Harari emphasizes that information isn’t necessarily truth; its primary function is to connect people. This can be done more easily with fantasies and mythologies than with facts.
4. He expresses concern about AI’s rapid development and its potential to outpace human control. AI is described as an “alien intelligence” that thinks differently from humans.
5. Harari warns about the impact of AI on democracy, suggesting that it could lead to the collapse of meaningful conversation and debate among citizens.
6. He discusses the vulnerability of both democratic and authoritarian regimes to AI manipulation and proposes solutions.
7. He stresses the importance of building strong institutions and information networks that are wiser than individuals.

Overall, Harari’s perspective is cautious and somewhat pessimistic about the current trajectory of AI and information technology. However, he believes that with proper regulation, institutional development, and a focus on building systems that prioritize truth over engagement, societies can potentially harness these technologies for good. He draws parallels with past technological revolutions, like the development of modern sewage systems, to illustrate how societies can adapt to and benefit from transformative changes.