In this episode of Moment of Zen, Erik Torenberg is joined by Samuel Hammond (@hamandcheese), a senior economist at the Foundation for American Innovation and AI Scout/ Cognitive Revolution podcast host Nathan Labenz (@labenz). From drug innovation to nuclear risk, they discuss the impact of AI on policy and governance, exploring the challenges and opportunities of a Trump vs. Harris presidency.

From drug innovation to nuclear risk, they dissect the impact of AI on policy and governance, exploring the challenges and opportunities of a Trump vs. Harris presidency.

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LINKS:

Samuel Hammond Essays

* The EA case for Trump 2024:

https://www.secondbest.ca/p/the-ea-case-for-trump-2024

* AI and Leviathan: Part I:

https://www.secondbest.ca/p/ai-and-leviathan-part-i

* A Manhattan Project for AI Safety:

https://www.secondbest.ca/p/a-manhattan-project-for-ai-safety

Books:

* Asymmetric Politics: How the New Right Became Resurgent in American Politics by Matthew Grossmann and David Hopkins

* The New Class War by Michael Lind

* The Great Stagnation by Tyler Cowen

* The Singularity Is Near by Ray Kurzweil

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@eriktorenberg (Erik)

@hamandcheese (Samuel) 

@labenz (Nathan)

@turpentinemedia (Turpentine)

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00 ) Introduction

(01:08 ) Samuel's Perspective on Trump: Focus on Innovation

(03:54 ) Nathan's Perspective on Trump: Focus on Tail Risks

(07:55 ) Governing Philosophies and Party Structures

(14:53 ) The Need for Understanding AI on Its Own Terms

(20:48 ) The Potential for AI to Reform the Administrative State

(21:38 ) Sponsor: Babbel | WorkOS

(29:34 ) The Dissonance Between Idealism and Reality

(32:33 ) Sponsor: NetSuite| Squad

(37:54 ) The Potential for a Crisis-Driven AI Policy

(48:56 ) The Case for a Trump Administration in Light of Past Policies

(1:13:20 ) The Risks of an AI Arms Race

(1:28:28 ) The Potential for a Shared AI Future

(1:47:56 ) The Need for a Pause in AI Development

(1:57:02 ) The Limits of Individual Leadership and the Importance of Institutional Change

(1:58:17 ) The Hypothetical Scenario of Trump Ordering a Nuclear Strike

(2:02:02 ) The Need for Outsider Leadership