If you're worried, artificial intelligence is about to kill us all or take all our jobs.

Relax. Historically, whenever humanity invents a new machine, we assume we'll do one of those two things, and so far, we're still here.

Admittedly, most previous technologies weren't able to actively plot against us.

Don't panic. A Guide to Artificial Intelligence.

Now, a moment ago, I joked that none of our previous inventions, not even nuclear weapons,

have managed to wipe us out yet, but also that those technologies weren't capable of actively

planning against us. That's true, but it's also worth noting that neither is today's artificial

intelligence. Current AI does not think, does not scheme, and certainly isn't secretly planning

a robot uprising. In fact, artificial intelligence browned a lot longer than Chatsch E.P.T.

and the other large language models that dominate the headlines today.

In this episode, we'll focus on the near-term reality of AI, what it can actually do, what risks it may pose,

and how it may reshape our lives and economy in the decades ahead.

The short version is this.

Today's AI is neither magic nor a menace,

but a powerful new tool whose real effects are far more interesting

than either the hype or the panic.

So today, we'll set the hype aside

and dig into the details that often get skipped in more sensationalist discussions.

We discussed truly super-intelligent machines in other episodes.

In fact, I was in the middle of writing one about whether AI might be a great filter in the Fermi paradox

when I decided to pause and take this more near-term look first.

And those scenarios are fascinating and important, but there are also

...