299 Demis Hassabis Deepmind

At a Glance

• The Mysterious Nature of Reality - “What is going on here is sometimes the colloquial way I say, what is really going on here? It’s so mysterious.” Lex humbly acknowledges the vastness of human understanding and the mystifying nature of reality.

• The Puzzle of Life - “It does seem like this puzzle, like you mentioned, the more you learn about it, the more you realize how little you know. So it humbles you, but excites you by the possibility of learning more.” Lex highlights the intricate and complex nature of life, where new discoveries lead to further questions.

• The Possibility of Artificial Intelligence - “If you got a chance, in this very well, you could be the person that goes into the room with the system and have a conversation, maybe you only get to ask one question.” Lex poses an intriguing scenario where he gets to ask the AGI system one question, sparking curiosity about the potential of artificial intelligence.

• The Quest for Knowledge - “What is the true nature of reality? I think that’s the question. I don’t know if I wouldn’t understand the answer because maybe it would be 42 or something like that.” Lex emphasizes his desire to understand the fundamental nature of existence and the universe, echoing a classic reference to Douglas Adams’ “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”.

• The Potential for New Discoveries - “I think it could start looking like more fundamental explanations of physics would be the beginning. Taking you walking us through by the hand as to what one would do to maybe prove those things out.” Lex shares his vision of a deeper, more elaborate world that could offer new insights into the universe and its workings.

• The Importance of Human Connection - “It’s a huge honor that you would take a pause from the bigger puzzle to solve this small puzzle of a conversation with me today. It’s truly an honor and a pleasure.” Lex expresses gratitude for the opportunity to engage in a meaningful conversation, highlighting the value of human connection and dialogue.

What to Do

• Understand yourself and others more deeply, especially yourself - This is emphasized by Demis as a crucial step in understanding reality, which is the biggest question to him.

• Be humble when facing uncertainty or complexity - As mentioned by Lex, the more you learn about the puzzle of life and reality, the more you realize how little you know, but this humility should excite you with the possibility of learning more.

• Approach problems and questions from multiple angles and perspectives - This is demonstrated by Demis’s approach to understanding the nature of reality, which involves exploring fundamental explanations of physics, considering glimpses of a deeper or simpler world, and encompassing mysteries that have puzzled humans for thousands of years.

• Be open to learning and exploring new ideas - This is highlighted by Demis’s curiosity about the nature of reality and his willingness to explore fundamental explanations of physics as a starting point for understanding it.

• Recognize that even seemingly simple problems can be part of a larger, complex puzzle - As mentioned by Lex, he feels like being in some huge puzzle, which suggests the interconnectedness of different aspects of life and reality.

What to Get

• **DEMIS HASSABIS: THE GENIUS BEHIND THE CODE by Anderson C. Davis - Amazon **

• Supremacy: AI, ChatGPT, and the Race that Will Change the World by Parmy Olson - Amazon

Summary

The latest podcast episode features a thought-provoking conversation between Lex and Demis (Demisuss Abbas), exploring some of life’s biggest mysteries. The discussion starts with the importance of cultivating compassion, understanding, and tolerance within oneself, which can lead to a deeper appreciation for the world around us. This introspective approach is essential in navigating the complexities of reality.

As they delve into the nature of reality, Demis suggests that it’s like being part of a giant puzzle, where the more we learn, the more we realize how little we know. He wonders why science is even possible, and how the universe seems to be structured in a way that facilitates knowledge gain. This curiosity extends to other enigmas, such as consciousness, dreaming, life, and gravity, which have puzzled humans for thousands of years.

The conversation takes an interesting turn when Lex asks Demis what question he would ask if he had the chance to converse with an Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) system that achieves human-level intelligence. Without hesitation, Demis responds that he would ask the AGI about the true nature of reality – a question that gets to the heart of existential inquiry. The discussion then shifts to exploring how this answer might be framed, perhaps through more fundamental explanations in physics or glimpses into a deeper, simpler world.

Throughout the conversation, Lex and Demis demonstrate their passion for understanding the intricacies of our universe. Their discussion is characterized by intellectual curiosity, a willingness to explore complex ideas, and a recognition of the mysteries that still surround us. The podcast episode concludes with a thought-provoking quote from Ed Skur Dijkstra: “Computer science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes.” This quote encapsulates the essence of their conversation – a reminder that true understanding lies beyond the surface-level specifics, and that the pursuit of knowledge is an ongoing, awe-inspiring journey.

Overall, this podcast episode offers a fascinating exploration of the human experience, encouraging listeners to ponder some of life’s biggest mysteries. The discussion invites us to approach these enigmas with curiosity, intellectual humility, and a willingness to explore new ideas – making it a captivating listen for anyone interested in philosophy, science, or just the human condition.