pessimism-aversion
A cognitive bias leading elites and others to dismiss or downplay negative narratives about the future, affecting discourse on technological risks.
1 chapter across 1 book
The Coming Wave: Technology, Power, and the Twenty-first Century's Greatest Dilemma (2023)Mustafa Suleyman; Michael Bhaskar
Part IV of 'The Coming Wave' focuses on the imperative of containment regarding emerging technologies, particularly advanced AI and synthetic biology. It introduces key terms and concepts such as the containment problem, the four features exacerbating containment challenges, and the dilemma of balancing technological openness with control to avoid catastrophic outcomes. The prologue, written by an AI, frames the coming wave as a pivotal moment in human history with vast potential benefits and risks, emphasizing the urgent need for preparedness and thoughtful decision-making.