How would it feel to be outperformed by a machine? We discuss the AI revolution with physicist Max Tegmark and science fiction writer Ken MacLeod

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As big data drives a sudden increase of artificial intelligences into our lives, we examine how it would feel if humans were no longer the smartest beings on the planet, with the physicist and AI campaigner Max Tegmark and the science fiction writer Ken MacLeod.

Tegmark begins the discussion by explaining why the issue is so urgent, and why we have to abandon our usual development strategy of learning from mistakes. The AIs in MacLeod’s latest series of novels are hardwired with constraints designed to preserve a central place for humanity, but can we ensure a superhuman mind will align its goals with ours? As artificial intelligence leaves the realm of science fiction, Tegmark argues, it’s time for all of us to imagine a future where human beings can play a part.

Reading list

Life 3.0 by Max Tegmark (Allen Lane)

The Corporation Wars by Ken MacLeod (Orbit)