The narrative you choose about artificial intelligence shapes our perception of its future. Will AI merely be another tool for humans, comparable to existing software? Could it be a destructive force that stifles creativity, or even lead to robots aiming to harm humanity? Alternatively, could it usher in a world that’s more incredible, beautiful, equal, and perfect than we can currently imagine?
Surprisingly, some key figures at the forefront of AI envision a highly positive future. OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, and Anthropic’s CEO, Dario Amodei, both recently shared their perspectives on the AI-driven world they hope to help create. Altman’s blog post was brief and direct, while Amodei’s was more detailed. As influential leaders with substantial teams and resources, their visions are significant, as they hold the power to shape the AI landscape.
In this episode of The Vergecast, The Verge’s Kylie Robison joins to explore these blog posts from Altman and Amodei, highlighting areas of agreement and divergence. Robison also previews some of the significant AI model launches expected by the end of the year, speculating on what it means that the race to outdo each other in large language models (LLMs) might be nearing its conclusion.
After the discussion on AI, Will Poor shares the story of ShakeAlert, an app and platform designed to notify millions of people in advance of an earthquake. Those familiar with the well-known New Yorker article on earthquake risks may understand Will’s apprehension around earthquakes. Although solutions exist to help warn people, several unexpected challenges complicate the effectiveness of these systems.
In the final segment, Allison Johnson joins Will to respond to a listener’s question about the new Camera Control button on the iPhone 16. Apple has promoted its speed, but Johnson and Poor decided to put it to the test themselves to see if it lives up to the hype.
If you’re interested in delving deeper into the topics covered in this episode, check out the following resources on AI, earthquakes, and iPhone updates.