Brian Chau on Spreading Informed AI Optimism

This week on Upstream, Nathan Labenz of The Cognitive Revolution podcast and Brian Chau, a machine learning engineer who recently founded the Alliance for the Future, talk about Brian's efforts in Washington, D.C. to influence AI policy based on informed AI optimism. Access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to choosesquad.com and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.
--
This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture - all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors - if you think that might be you and your company, email us at [e-mail].
--
SPONSORS: BEEHIIV | SQUAD
Head to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝 Head to Beehiiv.com and use code "UPSTREAM" for 20% off your first three months.
💥 Access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to choosesquad.com and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.
--
RECOMMENDED PODCAST: @turpentinefinance
Host Sasha Orloff (3x Founder & CEO) is joined by top founders and finance leaders at high growth tech companies who share how they navigated huge make-or-break decisions, rode inflection points, and architected success. If you want to learn the mental models and tactics top business leaders and CFOs, subscribe below. Debut episode features Casey Woo unpacking his wild ride managing billions in budgets at WeWork - arguably one of the craziest capital stories ever.
Listen on Spotify: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Listen on Apple: podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast...
--
Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(00:42) Unpacking AI Optimism and Policy Perspectives
(01:22) Exploring the Breadth of AI and Its Economic Implications
(05:23) Debunking AI Doomsday Predictions
(14:56) Sponsors: BeeHiiv | Squad
(25:53) Navigating the Near-Term AI Landscape and Government Modernization
(41:30) Exploring AI Regulation and Executive Orders
(43:55) The Impact of AI on Startups and Economic Viability
(45:36) AI Development and Regulatory Challenges
(48:40) The Debate on AI Accountability and Regulation
(59:02) Open Sourcing AI Models: Risks and Regulations
(1:07:06) The Future of AI: Ethical, Social, and Regulatory Considerations
(1:14:41) Reflections on AI Safety and the Path Forward
--
Alliance for the Future: www.affuture.org/
Brian's article on research progress in AI: www.affuture.org/research/3-d...
--
X / TWITTER:
/ psychosort (Brian)
/ labenz (Nathan)
/ eriktorenberg (Erik)
/ upstream__pod (Upstream)
/ turpentinemedia (Turpentine)
--
For guest or sponsorship inquiries please contact [e-mail]

[@TheJokerReturns]

For those who wish that we have a policy to keep us humans relevant and/or not die, please look into PauseAI.

[@PaulSchwarzer-ou9sw]

I think Nathan overestimates the doom scenarios from AI. Nuclear threat will be a much greater threat than AI in the foreseeable future.

[@Cagrst]

People like Brian don’t seem capable of taking seriously the implications of creating systems that are genuinely smarter than us across all domains. every one of his arguments sounds like a rationalization based on incredulity. He personally can’t wrap his mind around the fact that this is a real possibility and he does not want to admit that it could happen so he just flails around insisting that it’s impossible and people who are worried are just fear mongering. I think Nathan did a great job probing his perspective and posing reasonable questions that Brian did not have good answers for.

[@JD-jl4yy]

Yep.

[@TheJokerReturns]

Exactly.

[@JD-jl4yy]

Bad faith and dogmatic, disappointing.