Global tensions are escalating, the climate crisis is coming to a head: Now artificial intelligence is supposed to help humanity solve existential problems. The historian and visionary Yuval Noah Harari warns of existential risks.
Wars, epidemics, climate crisis: the world is in a terrible state. Artificial intelligence is now supposed to help overcome the biggest problems and make life easier and better for humanity. This is how developers and tech companies are praising the AI revolution. But enormous risks are being overlooked, warns Yuval Noah Harari, one of the most important thought leaders of our time. The new technology could put an end to humanity’s rule.
How dependent are we already on AI? What dangers are we facing? And what can we humans do to protect ourselves and make sensible use of the advantages of AI? Yuval Noah Harari, whose new book “Nexus. A brief history of information networks from the Stone Age to artificial intelligence” has just been published, answers these questions in a t-online interview.
t-online: Professor Harari, crisis after crisis is shaking the world, and with the rapid development of artificial intelligence, humanity is facing another challenge whose extent it cannot yet estimate. Are you afraid of the future?
Yuval Noah Harari: I am actually afraid of the future. To a certain extent, at least. There are good reasons to be afraid of powerful new technologies. Artificial intelligence presents us with numerous risks and dangers. But we are not inevitably heading for disaster.
In your current book “Nexus” you point out that AI could wipe out human rule if handled incorrectly. That sounds dramatic.
I want to warn people about some of the most dangerous scenarios. That’s the point of my book – all in the belief that we can then make better decisions and prevent the worst from happening.
What is your basis for trust in humanity?
I know that humans are capable of the most terrible things. But we are also capable of the most wonderful things. Ultimately, it is up to us what the future will be. Neither natural laws nor celestial forces rule in this matter; it is our responsibility alone to decide what we do with AI. I don’t know what will happen, but I sincerely hope that we will all make sensible decisions in the years to come.
Yuval Noah Harariborn in 1976, teaches history at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and is considered one of the most important thinkers of our time. His books “A brief history of humanity“, “Homo Deus” and “21 lessons for the 21st century” are international bestsellers. Together with his husband Itzik Yahav, Harari founded the organization “Sapienship” in 2019 to offer answers to solve global problems. With “Nexus. A brief history of information networks from the Stone Age to artificial intelligence” Harari’s latest work will be published on September 10, 2024.
How much do you trust AI, which is becoming more and more powerful with human help?
I have little faith in AI. Because, contrary to what is sometimes assumed, AI is not a brilliant, infallible machine. It is new, it is fallible. It even makes a lot of mistakes – and we know too little about them. The worst thing is that we humans are unsure how we can control AI. That is a very dangerous combination.
What do you see as the biggest threat posed by AI?
AI is the first technology in history that can make independent decisions. And not only that: AI can develop new ideas on its own. Everyone should understand what that means. AI is not a tool, but an actor.
The development of AI in the 21st century is often compared to the invention of the printing press in the 15th century. Does this comparison trivialize the potential danger posed by AI?
The printing press is designed to spread human ideas. It can copy a book, but it cannot write it. The printing press cannot decide which book to copy. Humans have always made that decision. Another example: the atom bomb is such a powerful weapon, but it does not decide whether it will be used in war. It cannot design better and stronger nuclear weapons. Humans have done that so far, too. But with AI, humanity is now creating competition for itself. Ever more sophisticated artificial intelligences are emerging that develop independently. That is their key feature: they learn and change on their own. The term AI is used indiscriminately for things, but a computer program that does not have these basic skills is simply not AI. The whole idea behind AI is that human engineers create the original system – but that system then learns independently, like a kind of technological baby, through interaction with the world.
What are the existential risks of artificial intelligence according to Yuval Noah Harari’s warnings?
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The Dark Side of Artificial Intelligence: Yuval Noah Harari Warns of Existential Risks
The world is facing unprecedented challenges, from wars and epidemics to the climate crisis. Amidst these crises, artificial intelligence (AI) is being hailed as a solution to humanity’s problems. However, historian and visionary Yuval Noah Harari warns that AI poses significant existential risks if not handled correctly.
In his latest book, “Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to Artificial Intelligence” [[2]], Harari sounds a warning about the dangers of AI. According to him, the rapid development of AI could lead to the end of humanity’s rule if not controlled [[3]]. In a t-online interview, Harari expresses his fears about the future, citing the numerous risks and dangers posed by AI.
One of the biggest threats posed by AI is its ability to make independent decisions and develop new ideas on its own [[3]]. Unlike the printing press, which was designed to spread human ideas, AI is an actor that can write its own script. This raises concerns about control and accountability, as humans are unsure how to regulate AI. Harari likens AI to an atom bomb, which is a powerful weapon that requires human decision-making to deploy. However, AI has the potential to make decisions on its own, without human interference.
Harari’s warning is not unfounded. AI has already demonstrated its fallibility, making mistakes that can have significant consequences. Moreover, humans are unaware of the extent of AI’s capabilities and limitations. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous combination that can have far-reaching consequences.
Despite these risks, Harari remains hopeful that humanity can make sensible decisions about AI. He believes that humans are capable of both terrible and wonderful things, and it is up to us to decide what we do with AI. Harari’s warning is not meant to instill fear, but to encourage humans to take responsibility for the development and deployment of AI.
As AI becomes more integrated into our daily lives, it is essential to acknowledge the risks and take steps to mitigate them. Harari’s new book, “Nexus”, provides a critical framework for understanding the history of information networks and the rise of AI. By recognizing the potential dangers of AI, we can begin to make informed decisions about its development and use.
Yuval Noah Harari’s warning about the existential risks of AI serves as a wake-up call for humanity. As AI becomes increasingly powerful, it is crucial to acknowledge the potential dangers and take steps to control its development and deployment. By doing so, we can ensure that AI is used for the betterment of humanity, rather than its downfall.
About Yuval Noah Harari
Yuval Noah Harari is a historian, philosopher, and bestselling author of “Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind” [[1]]. He teaches history at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and is considered one of the most important thinkers of our time. Harari has also founded the organization “Sapienship” with his husband Itzik Yahav to offer answers to solve global problems. His latest book, “Nexus”, provides a critical framework for understanding the history of information networks and the rise of AI.
Yuval Noah Harari AI book
The Existential Risks of Artificial Intelligence: A Warning from Yuval Noah Harari
As global tensions escalate and the climate crisis reaches a critical point, humanity is turning to artificial intelligence (AI) as a potential solution to its existential problems. However, renowned historian and visionary Yuval Noah Harari warns that AI poses significant risks to humanity’s very existence. In his latest book, “Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to Artificial Intelligence,” Harari sounds the alarm on the dangers of AI and the need for humanity to take control of its development.
The Risks of AI
Harari is not afraid to speak about the risks of AI, stating that “AI presents us with numerous risks and dangers. But we are not inevitably heading for disaster.” [[3]]He points out that AI could potentially wipe out human rule if handled incorrectly, making it a “social weapon of mass destruction” to humanity. [[2]]Furthermore, he notes that AI is not a brilliant, infallible machine, but rather a new and fallible technology that makes mistakes and is difficult to control.
The Dangers of Unchecked AI Development
Harari’s concerns about AI are not unfounded. As AI becomes more powerful, it poses significant risks to democracy, geopolitics, and human existence. In a conversation with Nicholas Thompson, Harari discussed the risks of generative AI and the need for frameworks to maximize its benefits while minimizing its harm. [[1]]He also warned about the potential for AI to become a tool for narrative control, manipulating human perceptions and decision-making.
The Need for Human Oversight
Harari emphasizes the need for humanity to take responsibility for AI development, stating that “it is up to us what the future will be. Neither natural laws nor celestial forces rule in this matter; it is our responsibility alone to decide what we do with AI.” [[3]]He believes that humans are capable of both terrible and wonderful things, and that our choices will determine the future of AI.
A Call to Action
Yuval Noah Harari’s warnings about AI are a call to action for humanity to take control of its development and ensure that it is used for the benefit of all. As AI becomes increasingly powerful, it is essential that we prioritize human values and ethics in its development. By doing so, we can harness the potential benefits of AI while minimizing its risks and ensuring a safer, more prosperous future for humanity.
About Yuval Noah Harari
Yuval Noah Harari is a renowned historian, professor, and author, known for his thought-provoking books on the human condition. His latest book, “Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to Artificial Intelligence,” is a must-read for anyone concerned about the future of humanity and AI. With his husband, Itzik Yahav, Harari founded the organization “Sapienship” in 2019 to offer solutions to global problems.
