I know some EA/LessWrong folks are dubious about the merits of developing specific stories about possible risks and harms, and prefer to stick with the abstract, theoretical level.
However, the human mind runs on stories, communicates through stories, and imagines future risks using stories. Stories are central. The stories don’t have to be 100% accurate to be useful in introducing people to new ideas and possibilities.
In addressing earlier potential X risks such as nuclear war and asteroid impacts, I think movies, TV series, and science fiction novels were probably much more influential and effective than think tank reports, academic papers, or nonfiction books. We shouldn’t be afraid to tell specific, emotive, memorable stories about AI X-risk.
Critics will say ‘It’s just science fiction’. So what? Science fiction works when persuading the public.
Thank you! Yes, stories about how the movies “War Games” and “The Day After” changed Ronald Reagan’s mind about cyberattacks and the risk of a global nuclear war were in part inspiration for this AI Safety Camp project. Stories can indeed be powerful.
Karl—very good scenario-building.
I know some EA/LessWrong folks are dubious about the merits of developing specific stories about possible risks and harms, and prefer to stick with the abstract, theoretical level.
However, the human mind runs on stories, communicates through stories, and imagines future risks using stories. Stories are central. The stories don’t have to be 100% accurate to be useful in introducing people to new ideas and possibilities.
In addressing earlier potential X risks such as nuclear war and asteroid impacts, I think movies, TV series, and science fiction novels were probably much more influential and effective than think tank reports, academic papers, or nonfiction books. We shouldn’t be afraid to tell specific, emotive, memorable stories about AI X-risk.
Critics will say ‘It’s just science fiction’. So what? Science fiction works when persuading the public.
Thank you! Yes, stories about how the movies “War Games” and “The Day After” changed Ronald Reagan’s mind about cyberattacks and the risk of a global nuclear war were in part inspiration for this AI Safety Camp project. Stories can indeed be powerful.