I don’t think people in general react well to societal existential risks, regardless how well or courageous the message is framed. These are abstract concerns. The fact that we are talking about AI (an abstract thing in itself) makes it even worse.
I’m also a very big opponent of arguing by authority (I really don’t care how many nobel laureates are of the opinion of something, it is the content of their argument I care about, now how many authorities are saying it). That is simply that I cannot determine the motives of these authorities and hence their opinions, while I can’t argue with logic and facts)
Usually it is better to make people can understand the risks in terms of stories, in particular stories they can relate to, hence why people still think of Terminator when thinking of AI exctinction risks.
There is a real (and large) exctinction risk, sure. Then again, the Ape picking up the club in 2001: a Space Odyssey could just as well be accused of going down a path that very likely would result in extinction. But when is extinction risk accepable is a more interesting question, and a question most people are much more ready to answer.
I don’t think people in general react well to societal existential risks, regardless how well or courageous the message is framed. These are abstract concerns. The fact that we are talking about AI (an abstract thing in itself) makes it even worse.
I’m also a very big opponent of arguing by authority (I really don’t care how many nobel laureates are of the opinion of something, it is the content of their argument I care about, now how many authorities are saying it). That is simply that I cannot determine the motives of these authorities and hence their opinions, while I can’t argue with logic and facts)
Usually it is better to make people can understand the risks in terms of stories, in particular stories they can relate to, hence why people still think of Terminator when thinking of AI exctinction risks.
There is a real (and large) exctinction risk, sure. Then again, the Ape picking up the club in 2001: a Space Odyssey could just as well be accused of going down a path that very likely would result in extinction. But when is extinction risk accepable is a more interesting question, and a question most people are much more ready to answer.