Could an earthquake become an existential or catastrophic risk that puts all of humanity at risk? Seth Baum of the Global Catastrophic Risk Institute and Ariel Conn of the Future of Life Institute consider extreme earthquake scenarios to figure out if such a risk is plausible. Featuring seismologist Martin Chapman of Virginia Tech. (Edit: This was just for fun, in a similar vein to MythBusters. We wanted to see just how far we could go.)
Claire Boine discusses how AI companion apps can foster attachment and dependency through design and freemium models. The episode examines privacy, risks for children and teens, legal gaps in the EU and US, and policy approaches to social harms.
Michael Toscano discusses family-centered AI policy, including AI companions, sexualized chatbots, self-harm risks, schools, and smartphone use. He argues that governance should hold technology accountable to families and children’s development.
Anthony Aguirre of the Future of Life Institute discusses A Better Path for AI, arguing against races to replace people and for purpose-built AI tools with human control, guardrails, accountability, and international cooperation.