“AI is already demonstrating deceptive, self-preserving behaviors that we thought only existed in science-fiction movies,” says technology ethicist Tristan Harris. Following his talk at TED2025, Harris is in conversation with Elise Hu, host of TED Talks Daily, to explore an “adaptation crisis” — where laws and regulations lag behind the speed of technology. He warns against seeing all innovation as progress, advocating for technology that is aligned with preserving the social life of humans.For a chance to give your own TED Talk, fill out the Idea Search Application: ted.com/ideasearch.Interested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links:TEDNext: ted.com/futureyouTEDSports: ted.com/sportsTEDAI Vienna: ted.com/ai-viennaTEDAI San Francisco: ted.com/ai-sf Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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You're listening to TED Talks Daily, where we bring you ideas and conversations to spark your curiosity every day. I'm your host, Elise Hu. The potential of AI is limitless, and that's exactly why we need to put limits on it before it's too late. That's the message technology ethicist Tristan Harris shared on the TED stage this year.
Back in 2017, Tristan warned us about the pitfalls of social media. Now, in 2025, he says that's child's play compared to the threats we might unleash with AI if we don't get this technology rolled out right. Tristan and I sat down to chat at this year's TED conference just after he gave his talk.
We dive into his vision for the narrow path, one where the power of AI is matched with responsibility, foresight, and discernment. Tristan Harris, thank you so much for joining us.
Good to be here with you.
I will start by reading back a line from your talk, which you can probably recite with me, but just to frame things. Of AI, you say, we are releasing the most powerful, most uncontrollable, most inscrutable technology in history and releasing it as fast as possible with the maximum incentive to cut corners on safety.
There's one extra line in there, which is that it's also already demonstrating deceptive, self-preserving behaviors that we thought only existed in science fiction movies.
Key line.
Yeah, it's an important part because this is not about driving a fear or moral panic. It's about seeing with clarity how this technology works, why it's different than other technologies, and then in seeing it clearly, saying what would be required for the path to go well. And the thing that is different about AI from all other technologies is that
I said this in the talk, if you advance rocketry, it doesn't advance biotech. If you advance biotech, it doesn't advance rocketry. If you advance intelligence, it advances energy, rocketry, supply chains, nuclear weapons, biotechnology, all of it, including intelligence for artificial intelligence itself. Because AI is recursive.
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