Inside the movement of AI successionists who want artificial intelligence to replace humanity
By
Sigal Samuel
Pulled from the oven just right. Trustworthy, fact-dense, deeply satisfying.
Summary
The article explores a fringe but growing movement of AI "successionists" who believe humanity should create an AI so advanced that it would be a worthy successor to the human species. It contrasts this transhumanist/posthumanist ideology with humanist perspectives, featuring discussions from an invite-only symposium where proponents argue for intentionally building AI that could replace humanity. The piece examines the philosophical, ethical, and existential implications of this worldview, and how humanism should respond to these ideas.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledI want AI to be a tool that allows human flourishing! There is an option out there where AI is just a tool for us.
You're a brave man for entering this room! You're in probably the only room in the country where...
You're in probably the only room in the country where people are seriously discussing AI as a worthy successor to humanity.
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