Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, October 19, 2023
Posted: 19th October 2023
Yoshua Bengio, founder and scientific director of Mila at the Quebec AI Institute, during a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law hearing in July. The hearing was titled “Oversight of A.I.: Principles for Regulation.” Photo credit: Valerie Plesch/Bloomberg via Getty Images
DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES
‘AI Godfather’ Yoshua Bengio: We need a humanity defense organization
In this interview with science writer Susan D’Agostino, computer scientist Yoshua Bengio discusses attention-grabbing headlines about AI, taboos among researchers, and why top experts disagree about the risks AI poses to humanity. Read more.
NUCLEAR RISK
Fukushima wastewater issue will further divide a nation, split families, and cause ‘atomic divorce’
The release of nuclear wastewater in Fukushima is already creating crises reminiscent of 2011, writes an anthropologist. “[A]s someone who studied the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear disaster for more than a decade, I believe that this decision will irreversibly erode public trust.” Read more.
Listen to the Doomsday Clock playlist
From Pink Floyd to The Who to Iron Maiden, the Bulletin’s Doomsday Clock playlist features songs by musicians that mention the Clock or were inspired by it. Listen to our Spotify playlist, and let us know who else we’re missing!
IN THE NEWS
Russia moves to pull out of nuclear test ban treaty while US eyes more nukes
For context on how Russia’s possible withdrawal from the treaty could impact the future of nuclear testing, VICE turned to Bulletin nonresident senior fellow Stephen Schwartz. Read more.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“It’s not like the fossil fuel industry has given up. They’re still doing everything they can to prevent us from moving on. But they’ve largely moved away from [outright climate change] denialism toward these softer denialist tactics.”
— Michael Mann, climatologist, “A climate scientist on how to recognize the new climate change denial,” Vox
Your ongoing support ensures we stay on mission and get the job done.
Thank you!