(Warning: I don’t know whether it was listening to this interview, my advancing Parkinson’s (which can include vivid dreams) or something random, but last night after writing this piece I had the longest, worst nightmare I’ve had in memory.)
When I worry about the future, it’s not the near-term future and it’s not about me, because I’m not likely to still be around when these problems hit.
In this case, it’s not even about Trump and the damage he is causing, which is likely to be considerable. Somehow I have faith that the residual strength of our democratic institutions will ultimately withstand and survive his depredations.
No it’s about two existential threats — artificial intelligence (AI) and climate change. Both are caused by humans yet for neither is there a known antidote.
For the threat from AI, listen to the CBS interview with famed researcher Geoffrey Hinton, who in a chilling phrase describes our current AI as a cute little tiger cub. It may be cute now but it will soon grow up into a lethally dangerous beast, probably within a decade.
By then it will be too late to wish we had kept it in a cage.
***
It’s not too late to get the cage built for that tiger cub but lawmakers need to get to work on establishing a regulatory framework like the one for nuclear power. To contact your Congressional representatives about regulating AI, click links for the House or the Senate.
(Thanks — I think — to John for this one.)
HEADLINES:
“When Are More Americans Going to Speak Up?” (New Yorker)
Trump's first 100 days: America First president is overturning the world order (Reuters)
Trump’s first 100 days: Steamrolling government, strong-arming allies and igniting trade wars (AP)
Trump approval sinks as Americans criticize his major policies (WP)
ICE deported 3 children who are U.S. citizens, their families’ lawyers say (PBS)
Wisconsin judge’s arrest by FBI sends chilling message, scholars and critics say (WP)
Dollar Doubts Dominate Gathering of Global Economic Leaders (NYT)
As Trump destroys the economy, GOP and Wall Street execs stay mum (WP)
Trade war hits foreign companies in China with double tariffs (Financial Times)
As Trump softens tariff talk, supply-chain disruption is already in motion (WP)
Long-running legal saga over N.C. Supreme Court race could pave way for future election challenges, critics warn (NBC)
Chaos unleashed by Musk’s Doge is starting to wane – what does that mean? (Guardian)
Tesla Seems Doomed If Musk Stays, And Sunk If He Leaves (Forbes)
DOGE’s mass federal workforce cuts may cost taxpayers $135 billion this fiscal year alone (Fortune)
With Trump-Zelensky Meeting, Ukrainians See a Glimmer of Hope (NYT)
"Godfather of AI" shares prediction for future of AI, issues warnings (CBS)
2-Year-Old Unaware He’s Basis For 6 Couples’ Decisions Not To Have Kids (The Onion)
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