We have relied on prophets and seers for most of human history, largely because humans are obsessed with the future – specifically their own. But prophecy has often been used to determine or at least influence the future, not just predict it. In her new book, Prophecy, Carissa Véliz explains the power and perils of prediction, from the Oracle of Delphi to modern AI, giving us some much-needed perspective on the dangers of chatbots and the people who are selling them to us as powerful tools that will either save or doom all of humanity.

Interview Notes

Prophecy: https://www.carissaveliz.com/prophecy
Privacy is Power: https://www.carissaveliz.com/books
The Power of Analogue (TEDx): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvJeUQ9Egnk
How Privacy Can Save Your Life (TEDx): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSPRouBvgFE
Here’s to the Crazy Ones (Steve Jobs): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtftHaK9tYY

Further Info

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0:00:18: Intro
0:03:07: How is prediction used to determine the future?
0:08:09: Why are humans hard to predict?
0:12:34: What does AI predict about itself?
0:19:24: What are longtermism and effective altruism?
0:25:45: How does rationalism compare to empiricism with AI?
0:30:41: Why do humans believe numbers?
0:34:57: Are prediction markets ethical?
0:38:53: What do you tell policymakers?
0:41:51: How do we resist fear of the future?
0:47:11: Wrap up
0:49:45: Patron podcast preview
0:50:23: Looking ahead

Interview Notes

Further Info

Table of Contents

The Power of Prophecy