Nick Bostrom
Oxford Professor | Global Expert on AI Ethics and Humanity's Future
About
Nick Bostrom is an Oxford Professor who has dedicated his career to examining the most consequential questions facing humanity's future. His work spans the critical intersection of artificial intelligence advancement and existential risk, addressing what may happen when our computers become smarter than we are.
Through his research and speaking, Bostrom explores the profound implications of superintelligent systems and their potential impact on human civilization. As a leading voice in AI ethics and safety, Bostrom has presented his insights on major platforms including multiple TED stages, where he has outlined both the risks civilization faces and concrete strategies for prevention.
His philosophical approach to humanity's biggest problems combines rigorous academic analysis with practical considerations for safeguarding our species' long-term survival. Bostrom's expertise encompasses the technical challenges of AI alignment, the philosophical questions surrounding machine consciousness, and the policy frameworks needed to navigate an uncertain technological future.
What Nick Talks About
Artificial intelligence safety and the challenge of superintelligent systems
Existential risks to human civilization and mitigation strategies
The philosophical implications of machines surpassing human intelligence
Long-term thinking and humanity's biggest challenges
AI ethics and the future of human-machine coexistence
Talks3
How civilization could destroy itself -- and 4 ways we could prevent it
Humanity is on its way to creating a "black ball": a technological breakthrough that could destroy us all, says philosopher Nick Bostrom. In this incisive, surprisingly light-hearted conversation with Head of TED Chris Anderson, Bostrom outlines the vulnerabilities we could face if (or when) our inventions spiral beyond our control -- and explores how we can prevent our future demise.
More Talks
A philosophical quest for our biggest problems
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Chris Anderson
TED's curator and author | Revealing the art of world-class speaking
2 shared events · TED, TEDGlobal
Craig Venter
Pioneer of human genome sequencing | Founder of Celera Genomics and J. Craig Venter Institute
2 shared events · TED, TEDGlobal
Dan Gilbert
Co-founder of Rocket Mortgage | Founder of Rock Ventures | Revolutionized the mortgage industry
2 shared events · TED, TEDGlobal
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