Nick Bostrom, the former head of the Future of Humanity Institute at Oxford, made a notable appearance on the third day of the Collision 2019 conference at the Enercare Centre in Toronto on May 23, 2019. A Swedish philosopher, Bostrom has long been a leading voice cautioning against the potential perils of artificial intelligence (AI). His insights gained attention in 2014 when Elon Musk highlighted him on Twitter, stating, “Worth reading Superintelligence by Bostrom. We need to be super careful with AI. Potentially more dangerous than nukes.”
Bostrom's theories have now seeped into alarmist conversations surrounding AI, but he believes this discourse often neglects the technology’s capabilities for positive change. “I’m getting a bit concerned that we might be swinging too far the other way, losing sight of the possible benefits,” the 53-year-old futurologist and transhumanist remarked in an interview with Le Monde. Previously a professor in the UK at Oxford, where he established the Future of Humanity Institute, Bostrom emphasizes that AI has the potential to drive significant advancements.
One key benefit he highlights is the unparalleled access to knowledge. “I used to rely on research assistants, but AI often outperforms them and is available around the clock. You get results in minutes rather than days,” he explained, noting that this level of accessibility is now within everyone’s reach. Additionally, he foresees a transformative impact on democracy: “Imagine a future where AI engages with people to gather their opinions and preferences before synthesizing them into sophisticated policy proposals.” This vision, he believes, could lead to a new "Enlightenment" that amplifies the voices of those typically overlooked. Furthermore, Bostrom is optimistic about the groundbreaking advancements in medicine, which could pave the way for near-immortality.
