AI DEBATE: What Will the World Actually Look Like in 2040?

In this AI debate, we explore: * Whether humans will exist in 2040. * What will happen once we reach AGI. * Whether AI gets smart enough to act malevolently or benevolently towards humans. * If AI will grow powerful enough to be out of human control. * and much more... Guests * Zack Kass is an AI advisor, author, and former Head of Go-to-Market at OpenAI. * Liv Boeree is a physicist, science communicator, podcaster and former professional poker champion. * Aric Floyd is an AI writer, and video producer. - Get up to $350 off the Eight Sleep Pod 5 at https://eightsleep.com/modernwisdom Get a Free Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular flavours with your first purchase at https://drinklmnt.com/modernwisdom Get 35% off your first subscription on the best supplements from Momentous at https://livemomentous.com/modernwisdom Get 15% off your first order of my favourite Non-Alcoholic Brew at https://athleticbrewing.com/modernwisdom Get ChatGPT to explore ideas, solve problems, and learn faster at ⁠⁠https://chatgpt.com - 0:00 Will Humans Still Be Around in 2040? 8:20 What Jobs Will Be Protected From AI? 14:22 Finding Meaning in a Post-Work World 23:13 Technology is Pulling Us From Our Purpose 27:12 Where Do We Draw the Line With Outsourcing Thinking? 39:58 Is AI Unlocking Human Potential? 42:28 Refusal or Obedience: What’s More Dangerous? 46:01 The AI Attack That Should Worry Everyone 54:44 Should We Slow Down Advanced AI? 56:41 Does Recursive Research Actually Work? 01:10:52 How Safe is AI? 01:14:01 Can We Reach a Peace Deal For a Super-intelligent World? 01:22:38 Why AI 2040 Got So Much Right 01:26:21 Is AGI Inevitable? 01:30:39 Could Techno-Pastoralism Be the Future? 01:37:16 Is AI Replacing Human Connection? 01:45:36 How Do We Navigate the Purpose-Friction Problem? 02:00:50 Why Data Centre Policy Matters More Than Ever 02:05:56 The Concentration of Power Concern 02:11:39 Is the Frontier Strategy the Winning Condition? 02:18:17 Will AI Weaken Democracy? 02:29:11 How We Can Limit the Concentration of Power 02:31:45 Is ChatGPT Pessimistic About the Future? 02:37:54 What Should We Be Focused On? - Get access to every episode 10 hours before YouTube by subscribing for free on Spotify - https://spotify.modernwisdom.com or Apple Podcasts - https://apple.modernwisdom.com Get my free Reading List of 100 life-changing books here - https://chriswillx.com/books/ Try my productivity energy drink Neutonic here - https://neutonic.com/modernwisdom - Get in touch in the comments below or head to... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx Email: https://chriswillx.com/contact/

Chris WilliamsonhostAric FloydguestLiv Boereeguest

Aug 17, 20262h 42mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: August 17, 2026
Duration: 2h 42m
Channel: Modern Wisdom
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

In this AI debate, we explore:
Whether humans will exist in 2040.
What will happen once we reach AGI.
Whether AI gets smart enough to act malevolently or benevolently towards humans.
If AI will grow powerful enough to be out of human control.
and much more...
Guests
Zack Kass is an AI advisor, author, and former Head of Go-to-Market at OpenAI.
Liv Boeree is a physicist, science communicator, podcaster and former professional poker champion.
Aric Floyd is an AI writer, and video producer.
- Get up to $350 off the Eight Sleep Pod 5 at https://eightsleep.com/modernwisdom Get a Free Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular flavours with your first purchase at https://drinklmnt.com/modernwisdom Get 35% off your first subscription on the best supplements from Momentous at https://livemomentous.com/modernwisdom Get 15% off your first order of my favourite Non-Alcoholic Brew at https://athleticbrewing.com/modernwisdom Get ChatGPT to explore ideas, solve problems, and learn faster at ⁠⁠https://chatgpt.com - 0:00 Will Humans Still Be Around in 2040? 8:20 What Jobs Will Be Protected From AI? 14:22 Finding Meaning in a Post-Work World 23:13 Technology is Pulling Us From Our Purpose 27:12 Where Do We Draw the Line With Outsourcing Thinking? 39:58 Is AI Unlocking Human Potential? 42:28 Refusal or Obedience: What’s More Dangerous? 46:01 The AI Attack That Should Worry Everyone 54:44 Should We Slow Down Advanced AI? 56:41 Does Recursive Research Actually Work? 01:10:52 How Safe is AI? 01:14:01 Can We Reach a Peace Deal For a Super-intelligent World? 01:22:38 Why AI 2040 Got So Much Right 01:26:21 Is AGI Inevitable? 01:30:39 Could Techno-Pastoralism Be the Future? 01:37:16 Is AI Replacing Human Connection? 01:45:36 How Do We Navigate the Purpose-Friction Problem? 02:00:50 Why Data Centre Policy Matters More Than Ever 02:05:56 The Concentration of Power Concern 02:11:39 Is the Frontier Strategy the Winning Condition? 02:18:17 Will AI Weaken Democracy? 02:29:11 How We Can Limit the Concentration of Power 02:31:45 Is ChatGPT Pessimistic About the Future? 02:37:54 What Should We Be Focused On? - Get access to every episode 10 hours before YouTube by subscribing for free on Spotify - https://spotify.modernwisdom.com or Apple Podcasts - https://apple.modernwisdom.com Get my free Reading List of 100 life-changing books here - https://chriswillx.com/books/ Try my productivity energy drink Neutonic here - https://neutonic.com/modernwisdom - Get in touch in the comments below or head to... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx Email: https://chriswillx.com/contact/

SPEAKERS

Chris Williamson
host
Host of the Modern Wisdom podcast.
Aric Floyd
guest
Commentator focused on AI risk, governance, and concentration of power.
Liv Boeree
guest
Science communicator and former professional poker player.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Modern Wisdom, featuring Chris Williamson and Aric Floyd, AI DEBATE: What Will the World Actually Look Like in 2040? explores aI by 2040: power concentration, purpose loss, and coordination challenges ahead The guests expect AI to bring enormous upside but worry that it will also concentrate power in the hands of a few corporations or states, potentially undermining democracy as humans become less economically necessary.

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