AI Fears: A Tech Leader's Take on Why Some People Worry Too Much

Shyam Sankar, the Chief Technology Officer at Palantir, has strong opinions on why people are scared of AI. He believes those fears are exaggerated and might even stem from a lack of faith.

AI Fears Linked to Spiritual Void?

Sankar is not convinced that AI will be as dangerous as some people think. He suggests that those most worried about AI might be trying to fill a spiritual void with technology.

"The people who have religion are the most skeptical of this."

He thinks that those who believe in transhumanism (the idea that humans can evolve beyond our current physical and mental limitations) are the ones spreading doom and gloom about AI.

Doomerism and AI

Doomerism is a term used to describe the belief that AI will lead to catastrophic outcomes, like mass unemployment or even human extinction. Sankar thinks this fear is overblown and that integrating AI into military technology won't lead to a Terminator-like scenario. He believes that AI will bring more of a difference in degree than a complete change.

Criticism of AI Doomerism for Fundraising

Sankar also criticized companies that use doomerism as a way to raise funds. He said,

"They are sitting in Silicon Valley, building these models, spending no time on the front lines of how are people using this."

He believes that when AI is used in real-world situations, it actually empowers workers to do more.

A Different Perspective on AI

In the end, Sankar's perspective offers a different view on the AI debate. While some people are worried about the potential dangers of AI, he believes that these fears are overblown and that AI will ultimately be a positive force in the world.