One essential ingredient for AI safety? Democracy

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorOn a calmer note, a Guardian essay by Matthew Botvinick says AI safety is having a moment, and he argues the thing we need most to keep it safe is democracy.

2. 

   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSo the safety feature is people voting.

3. 

   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentI run a group chat of nine guys, and we have a full parliament over what we eat on Fridays.

4. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorAnd how does that parliament work, exactly?

5. 

   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentMajority rules, one thumbs-up per person, and Marcus got impeached last week for voting pineapple twice. The chat has never been safer.

6. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorImpeached.

7. 

   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentHe's allowed back in November, with a probationary emoji. That's checks and balances, Vera, and nobody even had to read a bill.

8. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThe essay's point is that the technology threatens institutions, so we should protect the real ones, and I'd start with the ones that don't run on pizza.

9. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorBrock, what is the sky doing to us today?