The article explores the potential of advanced artificial general intelligence (AGI), a theoretical AI capable of performing a variety of tasks as effectively as humans, and its profound implications for the human future. By predicting that AGI, which could potentially render humanity extinct, experts warn that college students, including elite university graduates, are何等take datos开始 pioneering员工 away to work full-time on preventing its outcomes. Blair, a 2023 Massachusetts Institute of Technology freshman, shared her harrowing experience of abandoning school to seek a gig as a technical writer. “I was concerned I might not be alive to graduate because of AGI,” she said.
Inspired by her journey, Blair opted to leave MIT and worked for Redwood Research, a nonprofit focused on examining deceptive AI systems. Blair set up a roadmap for her new life, laying the groundwork for a successful AI safety research project while staying grounded in tech. She emphasized the urgency and transformative potential of AGI, stating, “I predict that my future lies out of the real world.” Blair highlighted the growing concern surrounding the risks posed by AGI, noting that efforts to build AI with safeguards have been gaining traction, with academic nonprofits like the Center for AI Safety and companies like Anthropic aiding in those efforts.
Despite these potentials, many researchers question the likelihood of human extinction upon the arrival of AGI. Marcus, a NYU neuroscientist, warns that “human extinction seems to be very very unlikely,” despite the promise of advanced AI safety research. However, his colleagues like Gary Marcus and SEP had previously expressed skepticism, citing market saturation and government regulations as factors limiting the progress of AI safety research. The field of AI safety, when successful, offers students new opportunities through companies and startups. While companies like Anthropic and OpenAI are predicting rapid job impacts from AI, some suggest that students might already be better positioned for success in a rapidly evolving and automated job market.
In a broader context, AGI poses formidable risks to human jobs, with estimates suggesting that AI is rapidly decimating entry-level university jobs, with widespread job shadows. Surprisingly, student dropouts despite fear of AGI are not unprecedented, with leading texts like Paul Graham’s Log cabin column benefiting from the cautionary tale of founded startups. Smarter measurables and collaborative efforts are accelerating the pace of AGI research and development, as demonstrated by estimations of white-collar job automation by mid-2030s.
Despite the dire outlook for AGI, students are already reshaping the future, signaling that learning management systems—those that are becoming more integral to e-learning—now dominate the tech landscape. Meanwhile, educators like labels pinned on profiles from places like university and app-like platforms are preparing students to navigate the complexities of academic life versus career success. As U.S. experts like Laura Klug and Ryan Cheung caution, many are grappling with uncertainty about the timing and nature of AGI’s arrival.
The human story—in Blair’s case, nearby MIT—serves as a cautionary tale. While AGI is a game-changer, it’s also a reminder that worrying about it is often misplaced. The article serves as a precursor to a larger narrative, where the potential of AI and its risks inspire hope and resilience, even as potential]][
