#1299 - Annie Jacobsen
- The Joe Rogan Experience
- Ai , Storytelling , Technology , History , Humanity
- May 16, 2019
Table of Contents
At a Glance
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Existential Risk - “I worry that we’re creating a thing that’s going to surpass us.” The speaker expresses concern about the potential risks of advanced technology, highlighting the importance of considering the consequences of our creations.
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Historical Anecdote - “It’s an actual indication of why that element of human intervention, why trust, why other information like… I think I saw Khrushchev on the TV last night is so important.” The speaker shares a fascinating and unsettling story about a near-miss nuclear launch due to a misinterpreted radar signal, emphasizing the value of human judgment in critical situations.
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AI Story - “Should we dim the lights? No. Turn the candle on?” The conversation begins with a tongue-in-cheek mention of an old AI story, which sets the tone for a more serious discussion about the potential risks and consequences of emerging technologies.
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Near-Miss Nuclear Launch - “They said, I don’t know, sir, but the radar returns are reporting this. And so someone had the idea at that BEMU site to go outside… And lo and behold, what was there? A big, full moon.” The speaker recounts a shocking true story about how human intervention prevented a potential nuclear catastrophe.
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Importance of Human Intervention - “Because the machine said with 99.9% certainty, this is happening. We must launch in retaliation. True story.” The episode highlights the importance of human judgment and intervention in critical situations where technology may fail or provide inaccurate information.
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Author’s Presence - “Thank you for everything. Thank you for the books. Thank you for your talk here with us. Your new book, which is Surprise, Kill, Vanish, Area 51…” The speaker warmly thanks Annie Jacobson for her presence and shares appreciation for her work, including her latest book.
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Social Media Connection - “Annie Jacobson… on Instagram Twitter okay alright thank you Annie I really appreciate it thank you so much for having me it was fun.” The episode ends with the host thanking Annie Jacobson and encouraging the audience to connect with her on social media.
What to Do
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‘Trust your instincts and consider alternative information’ - ‘This is an important point that was highlighted in the story about the near-nuclear launch incident. Sometimes, trusting your instincts and considering other information can be crucial in making decisions, especially when technology or machines are involved.’
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‘Human intervention is essential in critical situations’ - ‘The speaker emphasizes the importance of human involvement in high-pressure situations, where emotions and other factors can come into play. This suggests that relying solely on machines or algorithms may not always be the best approach.’
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‘Verify information through multiple sources before making decisions’ - ‘The anecdote about the radar station mistakenly identifying a full moon as 1,000 nuclear ICBMs illustrates the importance of verifying information through multiple sources before taking action. This can help prevent costly mistakes or catastrophic consequences.’
What to Get
Summary
In this engaging podcast episode, Annie Jacobsen shares an intriguing story about a close call with nuclear war, highlighting the importance of human intervention and trust in critical situations. The conversation starts with Jacobsen expressing her concerns about creating AI that might surpass humans, drawing parallels between the inevitability of technological advancements and the evolution of species.
Jacobsen then shares an astonishing story from the early days of DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), when a radar station at the top of the world misinterpreted a full moon as a thousand Soviet nuclear missiles heading towards Washington D.C. The technicians at the BEMU site were trained to respond to alerts, but this time they reported with 99.9% certainty that the end was near. Jacobsen emphasizes how human thought and trust played a crucial role in preventing a catastrophic launch, as one of the technicians remembered seeing Khrushchev on TV the night before, raising suspicions about the accuracy of the radar reading.
This episode highlights the significance of human intervention and trust in critical situations. Jacobsen stresses that machines can only provide data, but it’s humans who must interpret and make decisions. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of considering multiple perspectives and not solely relying on technology. This theme is especially relevant today, where AI is increasingly integrated into various aspects of our lives.
The podcast episode ends with Jacobsen thanking her host for the conversation and encouraging listeners to read her new book, “Surprise, Kill, Vanish.” The discussion concludes on a positive note, emphasizing the importance of human intelligence and decision-making in an era where technology is rapidly advancing. This engaging conversation offers valuable insights into the complexities of AI, the importance of human intervention, and the need for responsible innovation.
