The Joy of AI Dread

I admit to being somewhat amused at the consternation around AI. It helps that I don't think AGI - should we achieve it - will look anything like what we imagine.

But more than that, what fascinates me is the opportunity to see the basilisk eat its own tail. Since the industrial revolution, the acute risks of technology productization have been borne by one class of society - and the (outsized) benefits by another class. The former conceded autonomy and stability to accommodate new technology; the latter owned the technology, directed its use, and enjoyed its profits.

The fear today, if I am interpreting it correctly, is that there isn't an obvious way for the innovators to externalize the risks anymore. In fact, insofar as LLMs and related efforts prove increasingly adroit at handling technological, bureaucratic, legal, and medical tasks, AI could greatly improve access and reduce costs for services that have been restricted to the "outsized benefits" class.

I suspect this means legislation will be required to restore moral hazard to its central role in technology innovation - but until then, I'm hopeful that AI can be a powerful enabler for people who don't particularly care about AI.

This original version of this post is on LinkedIn