13.1 - The Singularity and The Future
Artificial Intelligence Policy
๐ง Think:
- What does the future hold? Is there an AI Singularity on the horizon?
- Are current AI paradigms, products, and tools sufficient to bring about substantial technological and societal change? Do we need a new paradigm for AI to continue to advance? Is there another AI winter on the horizon without substantial new scientific and technological invention?
- Is AI a greater or lesser exisential risk than other threats (nuclear, climate, disease, etc) facing humanity? Or is AI not really about threat at all, and more about promise? Can we build a better future for us all with technology?
๐ Read:
- Blili-Hamelin et al, 2025. โStop Treating AGI as the North Star of AI researchโ
๐บ Watch:
- Mitchell, 2025. โThe Past, Present, and Uncertain Future of AIโ
๐ง Listen:
- Optional: Complexity* podcast, Season 2, Episode 6: โAIโs Changing Seasonsโ
๐ Browse:
*new FB guy venture - Wait But Why (Urban), 2015. โThe AI Revolution: The Road to Superintelligenceโ - Part 1 - Part 2 - โAI 2027โ
๐ Additional Resources:
- Kurzweil, The Singularity is Near and The Singularity is Nearer
๐ Submit:
- Discussion question to course chat
TipTip
- โ๐ Readโ, โ๐ง Listenโ, and/or โ๐บ Watchโ items are required content for the day, and should be read/heard/watched before class on that day.
- โ๐ Browseโ items should be briefly looked at but do not need to be read deeply unless you want to
- โ๐ Additional Resourcesโ do not need to be looked at; they are there to serve, if useful, as further references for your debates, final projects, and general edification later.