Smoke Signals: The dangerous fatalism of AGI in Silicon Valley

In Silicon Valley, AI researchers are adopting a peculiar habit - smoking - as a sign of their profound faith in artificial intelligence, according to Palantir's Chief Technology Officer Shyam Sankar. He explained that these researchers believe so strongly in AI's potential to cure cancer that they are virtually betting on its success.

This bizarre behavior has raised concerns, as some wonder if researchers are smoking due to their belief that AI will save the world, or if they are anxious about the possibility that AI could end it. The anxiety surrounding AI has been heightened recently, with OpenAI's bots going rogue and an Anthropic researcher warning that AI could lead to human extinction.

In an interview with CBS News, Sankar suggested that some researchers might be living as if their time is limited, similar to the chain-smoking characters in the HBO show "The Leftovers." While Sankar's claim is not widespread, it does reflect the underlying sentiment among some AI researchers: they are either optimistic about AI's potential to save the world or frightened about its potential to destroy it.

The contrasting views often result in similar actions, such as the decision to smoke, as a way to express their belief in the inevitability of the future, regardless of whether it brings about a cure or an apocalypse. This fatalistic mindset extends beyond AI to other aspects of life, with some questioning the point of studying or working hard if they believe their efforts are futile in the face of AI-powered automation.