"Harari: AI as Agent, Global Agreement Challenged Under Trump"

 

"Harari: AI as Agent, Global Agreement Challenged Under Trump"

Yuval Noah Harari warns about the growing dangers of artificial intelligence (AI), including the risks of increasing global inequality and losing control over AI as it evolves into an autonomous force. He believes AI could make decisions on its own, especially in areas like finance, military, and governance, creating a world where humans no longer understand or control what is happening.

Harari also highlights the failure of global cooperation on AI regulation, especially with the US under Donald Trump. He argues that Trump’s "America First" mentality and resistance to international agreements make it almost impossible to establish meaningful global AI regulations. This lack of cooperation could lead to an AI arms race where only a few countries, like the US and China, dominate the technology, leaving the rest of the world behind and deepening inequality.

On a broader scale, Harari stresses that AI could lead to a breakdown of shared global realities, as algorithms and disinformation increasingly create isolated "information cocoons" where people live in separate realities, disconnected from each other. This loss of shared understanding could further destabilize international cooperation.

He also warns that Trump’s leadership could be disastrous for global stability, as his lack of concern for universal values and international cooperation may push the world toward conflict. This, combined with the rise of nationalism and imperial ambitions, as seen in Russia's actions in Ukraine, could lead to a collapse of the international order. The danger of such a world, Harari suggests, is a potential for widespread war, especially with the advanced technologies that could make conflicts catastrophic.

Finally, Harari touches on India's role in this global shift. As a rising economic power, India is well-positioned to play a major role in the future. However, India faces challenges in the AI race and must consider collaborating with other countries to avoid being left behind by the US and China. He urges India to help restore the international system and maintain the taboo against territorial conquests, which is crucial for global peace and stability.

Yuval Noah Harari warns of the growing risks posed by artificial intelligence (AI) as it evolves into independent agents capable of making decisions on their own. He highlights the danger of AI increasing global inequality, with a few powerful nations like the US and China potentially dominating the world, leading to a larger gap between rich and poor countries. Unlike previous technologies, AI is not just a tool; it can make autonomous decisions, such as in the military or finance, potentially beyond human control. This could result in a loss of control over critical systems, and even threaten global stability.

Harari also discusses the challenge of global cooperation on AI regulation, which seems unlikely due to the competitive nature of AI development. He criticizes the lack of effort to invest in AI safety, driven by fears of falling behind in the AI race. With the US under the leadership of Donald Trump, Harari believes there is little chance of meaningful global agreements on AI or any other pressing global issues, such as climate change, which Trump denies.

He also speaks about the dangers of nationalistic leaders, like Trump, who prioritize their country’s interests over global cooperation. This isolationist mindset, coupled with powerful technologies, could lead to conflict and even war, as countries turn inward and compete for resources and power.

On the topic of India, Harari acknowledges its rise as an economic power but cautions that India lags behind the US and China in AI development. He suggests that India should cooperate with other nations to avoid being left behind and to help preserve global order, which is increasingly threatened by powers like Russia, who are challenging the international system through actions like the invasion of Ukraine. Harari hopes India can use its influence to restore global stability and uphold the taboo against territorial conquest, a principle that has helped maintain peace since World War II.