Episode
Steven Pinker: AI in the Age of Reason
38:23
Published: Wed Oct 17 2018
Description
Steven Pinker is a professor at Harvard and before that was a professor at MIT. He is the author of many books, several of which have had a big impact on the way I see the world for the better. In particular, The Better Angels of Our Nature and Enlightenment Now have instilled in me a sense of optimism grounded in data, science, and reason. Video version is available on YouTube. If you would like to get more information about this podcast go to https://lexfridman.com/ai or connect with @lexfridman on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, or YouTube where you can watch the video versions of these conversations.
Chapters
Steven Pinker, a professor at Harvard, talks about his books, "The Better Angels of Our Nature" and "Enlightenment Now", and how they're grounded in data, science, and reason to instill a sense of optimism in people.
00:00 - 01:04 (01:04)
Summary
Steven Pinker, a professor at Harvard, talks about his books, "The Better Angels of Our Nature" and "Enlightenment Now", and how they're grounded in data, science, and reason to instill a sense of optimism in people.
EpisodeSteven Pinker: AI in the Age of Reason
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This episode explores whether the human neural network is fundamentally different from artificial intelligence neural networks, and whether AI can ever truly simulate human behavior or reach human-like intelligence.
01:04 - 13:32 (12:27)
Summary
This episode explores whether the human neural network is fundamentally different from artificial intelligence neural networks, and whether AI can ever truly simulate human behavior or reach human-like intelligence. The conversation also delves into the philosophical question of the meaning of life and the confusion of intelligence with a will to power.
EpisodeSteven Pinker: AI in the Age of Reason
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
AI is not only replacing repetitive jobs but also the unpleasant and dangerous ones.
13:32 - 22:57 (09:25)
Summary
AI is not only replacing repetitive jobs but also the unpleasant and dangerous ones. Comparing AI to nuclear weapons is not appropriate since the purpose of nuclear weapons is to destroy, while AI does not have to be created for malicious purposes.
EpisodeSteven Pinker: AI in the Age of Reason
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker questions the pernicious side of fatalism due to the many ways civilization can be annihilated, instead, presenting the genuine threats that ought to be considered such as pandemics, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, nuclear war, and climate change.
22:57 - 34:38 (11:40)
Summary
The speaker questions the pernicious side of fatalism due to the many ways civilization can be annihilated, instead, presenting the genuine threats that ought to be considered such as pandemics, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, nuclear war, and climate change. The speaker also emphasizes the safety-oriented culture of engineering that ensures responsible implementation of technological advancements, thereby eliminating the possibility of idiotic moves that may cause harm.
EpisodeSteven Pinker: AI in the Age of Reason
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
A discussion about science books that are accessible and humorous, such as "One Two Three... Infinity" by George Gamov and "The Better Angels of Our Nature" by Steven Pinker.
34:39 - 38:25 (03:46)
Summary
A discussion about science books that are accessible and humorous, such as "One Two Three... Infinity" by George Gamov and "The Better Angels of Our Nature" by Steven Pinker. Gates also mentions that James Payne's "The History of Force" was an inspiration for the latter.