The intelligence explosion: Nick Bostrom on the future of AI
We may build incredible AI. But can we contain our cruelty? Oxford professor Nick Bostrom explains.
Subscribe to Big Think on YouTube ►
Up next, Is AI a species-level threat to humanity? With Elon Musk, Michio Kaku, Steven Pinker & more ►
Nick Bostrom, a professor at the University of Oxford and director of the Future of Humanity Institute, discusses the development of machine superintelligence and its potential impact on humanity. Bostrom believes that, in this century, we will create the first general intelligence that will be smarter than humans. He sees this as the most important thing humanity will ever do, but it also comes with an enormous responsibility.
Bostrom notes that there are existential risks associated with the transition to the machine intelligence era, such as the possibility of an underlying superintelligence that overrides human civilization with its own value structures. In addition, there is the question of how to ensure that conscious digital minds are treated well. However, if we succeed in ensuring the well-being of artificial intelligence, we could have vastly better tools for dealing with everything from diseases to poverty.
Ultimately, Bostrom believes that the development of machine superintelligence is crucial for a truly great future.
0:00 Smarter than humans
0:57 Brains: From organic to artificial
1:39 The birth of superintelligence
2:58 Existential risks
4:22 The future of humanity
Read the video transcript ►
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About Nick Bostrom:
Nick Bostrom is a Swedish-born philosopher with a background in theoretical physics, computational neuroscience, logic, and artificial intelligence, as well as philosophy. He is the most-cited professional philosopher in the world under the age of 50.
He is a Professor at Oxford University, where he heads the Future of Humanity Institute as its founding director. He is the author of some 200 publications, including Anthropic Bias (2002), Global Catastrophic Risks (2008), Human Enhancement (2009), and Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies (2014), a New York Times bestseller which helped spark a global conversation about the future of AI. He has also published a series of influential papers, including ones that introduced the simulation argument (2003) and the concept of existential risk (2002).
Bostrom’s academic work has been translated into more than 30 languages. He is a repeat main TED speaker and has been interviewed more than 1,000 times by various media. He has been on Foreign Policy’s Top 100 Global Thinkers list twice and was included in Prospect’s World Thinkers list, the youngest person in the top 15. As a graduate student he dabbled in stand-up comedy on the London circuit, but he has since reconnected with the heavy gloom of his Swedish roots.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Read more of our stories on artificial intelligence:
Concern trolling: the fear-based tactic that derails progress, from AI to biotech
►
People destroyed printing presses out of fear. What will we do to AI?
►
signed the “pause AI” letter, but not for the reasons you think
►
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Want more Big Think?
► Daily editorial features:
► Get the best of Big Think right to your inbox:
► Facebook:
► Instagram:
► Twitter:
3 views
1730
446
3 days ago 00:17:07 1
Как создать AI помощника в ChatGPT для маркетинга и рекламы? Теперь он делает всю работу за меня!
1 week ago 00:00:00 1
RNB SOUL Mix 2025 : The Sweet SWING Song ! Musique Inspirante pour apaiser votre âme
2 weeks ago 00:02:29 1
Transform Your Video Creation Process with VideoGen AI!
3 weeks ago 00:00:05 1
Economic Growth
3 weeks ago 00:00:05 1
Typhoon USA
3 weeks ago 00:00:07 1
Destructive Weather Warfare
4 weeks ago 04:00:20 1
4 Hours Spazio Angelica NO LOOP [4K] - AI-Generated Everything | TTRPG Music
4 weeks ago 00:03:49 1
Céline Dion - Mama (EXCLU 2025)
1 month ago 00:02:00 1
Trump Inauguration | Redneck AI Trailer Park (Official Music Video)
1 month ago 02:46:50 1
Solaris | SCIENCE FICTION | FULL MOVIE | directed by Tarkovsky
2 months ago 00:02:22 1
2025 Recap AI : Trump
2 months ago 00:08:36 1
ODESSA on FIRE┃Hotel ’BRISTOL’ with Officers From European Intelligence Agencies Was Blown To PIECES
2 months ago 00:08:17 2
ufo sightings worldwide: 3 Super ufos caught on camers over Phoenix sky
2 months ago 00:02:59 1
Si Ai - Marshmello x UKAY Remix | Love Story Video Edit
2 months ago 00:05:37 1
Glenn Close Shares Inspiration She Received from Katharine Hepburn’s Heartfelt Letter
2 months ago 00:32:37 4
Starting my DELIVERY NETWORK in Minecraft Create Mod!
2 months ago 00:12:10 1
Robots From USA are Taking Over The World - US’s LARGEST Tech Exhibition CES 2025
2 months ago 00:24:57 1
TF2 players when they use 100% of their brain
2 months ago 00:03:09 1
“ZEKHARA: THE LOST EGYPTIAN PLANET“ | Sci-fi AI Short Film | RUNWAY GEN-3
2 months ago 00:20:33 1
Russia Reveals Insane New AI Fighter Jet & SHOCKS The US!
2 months ago 00:00:38 1
30-40W RGBW Module with 50W RGBW intelligent led driver suitable DMX512
2 months ago 00:04:23 1
The Dark Knight - Matt Daver Remix - ATLANTIS (Editor AI-ART3)
2 months ago 01:07:22 6
11-JAN-25 SSP Intentionally Start the California Wildfires, All Countries Temporarily Go to DEFCO...
2 months ago 00:02:35 19
Fire and Sandstorm Hard Rock Music | AI Short video Clip Sandstorm Metal (Official Music Video)