The race to build AI that benefits humanity | Sam Altman

The race to build AI that benefits humanity | Sam Altman

Author: TED April 15, 2021 Duration: 1:09:14

In this new season of the TED Interview, conversations with people who make a case for...optimism. Not some blind, hopeful feeling but the conviction that somewhere out there are solutions that, given the right attention and resources, can guide us out of the dark place we’re in. We share those ideas—and the people propelling them—to light a possible path forward.

For the first episode: AI. Will innovation in artificial intelligence drastically improve our lives, or destroy humanity as we know it? From the unintended consequences we've suffered from platforms like Facebook and YouTube to the danger of creating technology we can't control, it's easy to see why people are afraid of a world powered by AI. But in this interview, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman makes a case for AI's potential to make the future better for all of us—and explains how his company is leading that charge with an unusual new business model.

Can’t get enough TED? Become a member for access to exclusive events, global conversations, and more. Join now: go.ted.com/podmembers



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Head of TED Chris Anderson pulls up a chair for extended conversations with some of the world's most compelling minds on The TED Interview. This isn't a quick soundbite; it's a deeper exploration of the ideas that define our time, where guests have the room to unpack the nuances of their groundbreaking work. You'll hear the stories behind their discoveries, the challenges in their exploration, and thoughtful defenses of their perspectives when questioned. The discussions naturally span society, culture, and personal journeys, reflecting the wide-ranging curiosity of the TED stage. Each episode of this podcast offers a rare, unhurried look at how influential thinkers connect dots and see the world differently. The current season focuses on the theme of what makes generosity spread, examining the mechanisms and impact of contagious goodwill. Listening feels like being a fly on the wall for a substantive, revealing dialogue that goes far beyond a standard talk, providing both insight into fascinating ideas and the people who develop them.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The TED Interview
Podcast Episodes
Linda Villarosa on the hidden toll of racism on health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:01
When Linda Villarosa was the health editor of Essence Magazine, she says she had a one-track mind. A former college athlete, Linda grew up, like many of us, thinking about health on an individual level. But after reporti…
Can AI make healthcare human again? with Eric Topol [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:02
Eric Topol is a leading health expert whose writing and explainers about Covid-19 have helped people better understand the complexities of the global pandemic. As a doctor, author, and one of the most cited researchers i…
Ed Yong on how animal senses reveal the world around us [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:33
Like any animal, humans understand the world through our senses. But unlike other creatures, we can't detect magnetic fields with our bodies, or the flow of water from a fish swimming hundreds of feet in the distance. Bu…
How do we fix the restaurant tipping system? with Saru Jayaraman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:30
How often do you go back and forth over how much to tip at the end of a meal? Depending on the state, in the U.S. that choice could be the difference between a livable income or financial mayhem for the workers who serve…
Michael Schur on every moral question ever [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:24
Michael Scott, Leslie Knope, Detective Jake Peralta–television producer and writer Michael Schur has created some of TV’s most beloved sitcom characters on shows like The Office, Parks and Recreation, and The Good Place.…
Aaron Bastani is thinking about automated luxury…communism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:34
With such rampant inequality across the globe, it’s difficult to imagine that in the near future, society could be a place of abundance where everyone has education, healthcare, or housing. But for journalist Aaron Basta…
Juliet Schor wants a four-day work week [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:30
Before labor unions fought for them, society didn’t have weekends as we know them. In the 13th century, the average male peasants in the UK only worked 135 days a year. In a post-pandemic and increasingly virtual world,…