Archive - Million Year View

Could AI systems introspect on their own (potential) consciousness?

There is an easy way to see if a human is conscious: ask them. When it comes to AI systems, things are different. We can’t simply ask large language…

Aug 21 •

June 2024

Is longtermism helpful?

Recent work in philosophy argues for longtermism – the position that often our morally best options will be those with the best long-term consequences…

Jun 14 •

A new argument for the simulation hypothesis

At some point in the future we may invent sophisticated simulations.

Jun 1 •

May 2024

Thorstad's case against the singularity hypothesis

A summary of “Against the singularity hypothesis” by David Thorstad (just published in Philosophical Studies).

May 27 •

Can we understand AI as a rational agent?

A summary of “Will AI avoid exploitation?” by Adam Bales, forthcoming in Philosophical Studies.

May 27 •

November 2023

How could governments take the interests of our great-great-grandchildren into account?

Tyler John and William MacAskill that proposes institutional reforms to reduce short-termism in government and promote long-term thinking. We need more…

Nov 10, 2023 •

October 2023

Advanced artificial intelligence systems may risk overpowering humanity in the coming decades

This is a summary of Existential Risk from power-seeking AI by Joseph Carlsmith, forthcoming in “Essays on Longtermism”.

Oct 28, 2023 •

Summary — High risk, low reward: A challenge to the astronomical value of existential risk mitigation by David Thorstad

This summary was first published on the Global Priorities Institute website, the original paper can be found here.

Oct 13, 2023 •

Is our importance evidence of high extinction risk?

A summary of “Doomsday rings twice” by Andreas Mogensen.

Oct 1, 2023 •

September 2023

Summary — When should an effective altruist donate? By William MacAskill

Simple explanations of important research.

Sep 29, 2023 •

Is this the most important century?

This is a summary of the paper “Are we living at the hinge of history?” by William MacAskill. Are we in history's most influential era? MacAskill…

Sep 14, 2023 •

Can the law protect future generations?

A summary of the paper "Protecting future generations: A global survey of legal academics" by Eric Martínez and Christoph Winter. The summary was…

Sep 1, 2023 •

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