Can we build AI without losing control over it? | Sam Harris

Important Vocabulary Words From The Video

qualm

To qualm is to feel a sense of hesitation or fear. You might qualm about doing something because you are not sure if it is the right thing to do.

  • I had a qualm about going on the trip, but my friend talked me into it.
  • The qualm he had about the decision to go to war was quickly replaced by fear.
annihilate

To annihilate something is to completely destroy it. If you annihilate a city, you completely destroy it.

  • The army was trying to annihilate the enemy forces.
  • The team was trying to annihilate the other team's defense.
superhuman

A superhuman is a person who is able to do things that are beyond the abilities of most humans. Superhumans can be very powerful, and they often have special skills.

  • Superman is a superhuman because he is able to fly and shoot fire from his eyes.
  • The superhero saved the day by performing a superhuman act.
intuitions

Intuitions are the thoughts and feelings that you have without any evidence. Intuitions can be about anything, from the color blue to the idea that the world is round.

  • Many people believe that intuitions are a reliable source of information.
  • Sometimes people believe that they have bad intuitions, because they don't trust their gut.
drudgery

To describe something as drudgery is to say that it is a very difficult and unpleasant task. When you say that something is drudgery, you are usually referring to work or something that you have to do.

  • The job is very drudgery, because it's always hot and humid.
  • He found the job to be very drudgery, because it's always busy.

Overpopulation is when there are too many people in a particular area, and it is causing problems. There is not enough space to live, and the resources that are available are not being used efficiently.

  • The overpopulation of the city is causing a lot of problems.
  • The overpopulation of the planet is causing a lot of problems.
mothership

A mothership is a large spacecraft that is used to ferry people and supplies to other planets. The mothership is often a huge, complicated machine that is difficult to control.

  • The mothership is a huge, complicated machine that is difficult to control.
  • The mothership is transporting people and supplies to other planets.
limbic

The limbic system is a part of the brain that is responsible for emotions and instincts. It's also the part of the brain that is most active during sleep.

  • The limbic system is responsible for our emotions and instincts.
  • The limbic system is most active during sleep.