Modern Wisdom • 11 August 2025

#979 - Dwarkesh Patel - AI Safety, The China Problem, LLMs & Job Displacement

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Dwarkesh Patel is a writer, researcher & podcaster. The rise of AI marks the next great technological revolution, one that could reshape every aspect of our lives in just a few years. But how close are we to its golden age? And what warnings does the global AI race hold about the double-edged nature of progress? Expect to learn what Dwarkesh has realised about human learning and human intelligence from architecting AI learning, if AGI is right around the corner and how far away it might be, if most Job Displacement Predictions right or wrong, why recent studies show that tools such as ChatGPT make our brains less active and our writing less original, what Dwarkesh’s favourite answer to AI’s creativity question, what he biggest things about America/West that China doesn’t understand, the best bull case for AI growth ahead and much more… Sponsors: See me on tour in America: ⁠https://chriswilliamson.live⁠ See discounts for all the products I use and recommend: https://chriswillx.com/deals Get 35% off your first subscription on the best supplements from Momentous at https://livemomentous.com/modernwisdom Get a Free Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular Flavours with your first purchase at https://drinklmnt.com/modernwisdom Get a 20% discount on Nomatic’s amazing luggage at https://nomatic.com/modernwisdom Get the best bloodwork analysis in America at https://functionhealth.com/modernwisdom Timestamps: (0:00) Has AI Accelerated Our Understanding of Human Intelligence? (6:59) Where Do We Draw the Line with Plagiarism in AI? (12:13) Does AI Have a Limit? (17:29) Is AGI Imminent? (21:26) Are LLMs the Blueprint for AGI? (30:15) Retraining AI Based on User Feedback (34:57) What Will the World Be Like with trueAGI? (39:32) Are Big World Issues Linked to the Rise in AI? (46:06) Is AI Homogenising Our Thoughts? (51:10) How Should We Be Using AI? (56:17) Should We Be Prioritising AI Risk and Safety? (01:01:14) Why are We So Trusting of AI? (01:11:09) The Importance of AI Researchers (01:12:09) Where Does China's AI Progression Currently Stand? (01:26:26) What Does China Think About the West? (01:37:34) The Pace of AI is Overwhelming (01:42:42) What is Ignored by the Media But Will Be Studied by Historians? (01:50:41) Growing for Success (02:06:40) Dwarkesh’s Learning Process (02:09:28) Follow Your Instincts (02:22:29) Digital-First Elections (02:28:02) Becoming Respected by Those You Respect (02:45:29) Find Out More About Dwarfish Extra Stuff: Get my free reading list of 100 books to read before you die: https://chriswillx.com/books Try my productivity energy drink Neutonic: https://neutonic.com/modernwisdom Episodes You Might Enjoy: #577 - David Goggins - This Is How To Master Your Life: https://tinyurl.com/43hv6y59 #712 - Dr Jordan Peterson - How To Destroy Your Negative Beliefs: https://tinyurl.com/2rtz7avf #700 - Dr Andrew Huberman - The Secret Tools To Hack Your Brain: https://tinyurl.com/3ccn5vkp - Get In Touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/modernwisdompodcast Email: https://chriswillx.com/contact - Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices