Ep. 37 - AI, Aliens, and Existential Risk with Anders Sandberg
In this installment of the Future Grind podcast, host Ryan O’Shea speaks with Dr. Anders Sandberg. Anders is currently a research fellow with the Future of Humanity Institute at the University of Oxford. His research focuses on global catastrophic risk, cognitive enhancement, collective intelligence, neuroethics, public policy, and much more. Anders serves as an advisor to Humanity Plus, and has a background in computer science, neuroscience and medical engineering. He obtained his Ph.D. in computational neuroscience, which focused on neural network modeling of human memory, from Stockholm University in Sweden, which is the country he is originally from.
In this wide ranging conversation discuss existential risks, the possibility of alien life, the vulnerable world hypothesis, and much more. Say hello to Anders on Twitter at @anderssandberg.
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Show Notes
From science fiction to reality [1:53]
Future of Humanity Institute [3:17]
Catastrophic & Existential Risk [6:37]
When is risk “Catastrophic”? [10:30]
AI Risk [12:27]
Climate Change & Systemic Risk [16:01]
Human engineering to combat climate change [20:51]
Biotech Risk - Intent vs. Accident [23:54]
Thoughts on democratization of science [28:04]
Surveillance & the Vulnerable World Hypothesis [30:21]
The Fermi Paradox - Are we alone in the universe? [37:23]
What is transhumanism, and is Anders a transhumanist? [44:11]
Individual vs. Societal wellbeing [47:46]
Anders’ strategies for enhancement & wellbeing [50:50]
Controlled trials of public policy [56:43]
The media Anders’ consumes [1:00:37]
Anders’ new book [1:02:52]
Optimism [1:05:20]
Mentioned
Dr. James Martin, Oxford Martin School
Nick Bostrom
Precautionary principle
Amlin partnership
Joanna Bryson
Karin Kuhlemann, Sexy vs Unsexy catastrophic risks
Human engineering and climate change
Bill McKibben
Bostrom’s Vulnerable World Hypothesis
David Brin, The Transparent Society
Robin Hanson’s Great Filter
23andMe
Metformin
Rapamycin
Bruce Schneier
The Economist
Charlie Stross
Greg Egan
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