Cory Doctorow's Critique of AI Doomerism: A Pascal's Wager Perspective
By
vrganj
The kind of bagel that ruins lesser bagels for you.
Summary
Cory Doctorow presents a nuanced critique of AI doomerism, arguing that while he doesn't believe current AI is truly intelligent or will lead to intelligence, he recognizes shared concerns with AI doomers about technology's societal impacts. He frames the debate as a 'Pascal's Wager' scenario, suggesting that even if AI doesn't become intelligent, the precautionary principle still applies to address the real harms of current AI systems on labor, creativity, and society.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledI don't think AI is intelligent; nor do I think that the current (admittedly impressive) statistical techniques will lead to intelligence.
I think worrying about what we'll do if AI becomes intelligent is at best a distraction and at worst a cynical marketing ploy.
among some of the 'AI doomers,' I recognize kindred spirits. I, too, worry about technologie
A Pascal's Wager for AI Doomers
Article URL: https://pluralistic.net/2026/04/16/pascals-wager/
Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47832887
Points: 9
# Comments: 2
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