This New Elon Musk Interview By Jordan Peterson Is Making Internet Mad

The speaker expresses excitement about being present and mentions their long preparation for the talk. They recall a previous conversation about the impressive speed at which a supercomputer was trained at the XI data center in Memphis. The discussion shifts to Gro, the AI from XI, named after the concept of deeply understanding something, inspired by Robert Heinlein's 'Stranger in a Strange Land.' The speaker's familiarity with Heinlein's work is noted, and they discuss the goal of Gro to fundamentally understand the universe, including asking the right questions.

The conversation delves into the alignment problem of AI, with the speaker sharing their experience using large language models like Gro and Chat GPT as research assistants. Concerns about Chat GPT's propensity to lie are raised, prompting a discussion about the potential solution of using a 'golden thread' of human education to align AI with core human values. The importance of understanding the difference between Western Canon and contemporary ideologies is highlighted, along with the speaker's concern about the influence of 'woke' ideologies on AI.

The discussion shifts to Tesla, described as autonomous robots on four wheels, and the potential advantage of training Gro with real-world data from Tesla's vehicles. The speaker emphasizes that XI is a new company and is rapidly catching up with more established AI companies. They detail the progress of Gro's development, with Gro 1.5 currently released and Gro 2 and 3 in various stages of training, aiming to be on par with or surpass GPT 4 and becoming the most powerful AI in the world, respectively.

The speaker discusses the ethical dilemma of participating in AI development, acknowledging the risks but also the potential benefits of steering AI in a direction beneficial to humanity. They express concern about other AI companies' lack of focus on truth and their tendency to align with politically correct or 'woke' ideologies. The speaker advocates for a scientific framework to critique belief systems and enhance understanding of the universe.

The conversation explores the idea that a culture's attachment to traditional sacred images, such as the crucifixion and the mother and child, is linked to its natalism. The speaker suggests that a decline in birth rates and the rise of anti-natalist ideologies may signal a culture's impending decline. They propose that a unification of moral purpose, as seen in traditional writings, could help address the alignment problem in AI and society.

The speaker shares their personal journey of resolving an existential crisis by embracing the idea that the pursuit of understanding and the asking of questions are more important than finding definitive answers. They reflect on the influence of Douglas Adams' 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' and the notion that the search for meaning is more valuable than the meaning itself. This realization led to a happier outlook on life and a commitment to expanding understanding of the universe.

The speaker describes their 'religion of curiosity,' which involves seeking to expand human understanding and consciousness. They discuss the importance of population growth as a means to increase the scale and scope of consciousness, citing the example of Marduk, the ancient Mesopotamian god of wisdom and guardian against chaos. The speaker advocates for actions that improve the probability of a good future for humanity and the expansion of consciousness.

The conversation returns to AI development, with the speaker expressing their commitment to building AI systems that contribute to human flourishing. They reflect on their involvement with Open AI and the importance of ensuring that AI serves humanity's best interests. The speaker also discusses the potential benefits and risks of AI, emphasizing the need for caution and ethical consideration in its development.

The speaker shares their scientific perspective on understanding consciousness, considering the possibility that everything may have some degree of consciousness. They discuss the evolution of the universe from simple elements to complex organisms and the emergence of consciousness. The speaker also explores the concept of the 'word' as an intermediary in learning and the transformative power of new insights.

The conversation concludes with a discussion on the ethical necessity of having faith and courage in the future, regardless of potential challenges or horrors. The speaker uses the biblical story of Moses and the scouts to illustrate the importance of believing in and working towards a better future, suggesting that having children is a vote for the future and an expression of optimism.