One essential ingredient for AI safety? Democracy | Matthew Botvinick

The rise of AI makes the preservation of democracy even more urgent - especially as the technology threatens institutions

AI safety is having a moment. After years as a topic for techies and futurists, the potential risks from artificial intelligence systems - from cyberattacks to hyper-persuasion to rogue behavior - are suddenly under discussion both in the corridors of power and around kitchen tables.

In fact, the conversation now reaches beyond classical safety concerns, getting into AI's impact on economic life and the environment, as well as possible responses, from alignment research to government regulation.