Past event — This event ended 42 days ago.
Superintelligent AI and Loss of Control
About the event
A free, public workshop—no technical background needed What would it actually mean for machines to become smarter than humans—not just at chess or writing, but at *everything*? For decades, scientists and researchers have debated the idea of Superintelligent AI: systems that could outperform humans across nearly all cognitive tasks. What once sounded like distant science fiction is now increasingly discussed as a real possibility within our lifetimes. This workshop is a guided, interactive introduction to the idea of superintelligence and the problem of loss of control—what happens if we create systems that are more capable than we are, but whose goals don’t perfectly align with human values. Over the course of the workshop, we’ll explore:
• Superintelligence: What it means for an AI system to surpass human intelligence across domains, and how this differs from today’s AI. • Power and control: Why advanced AI could wield enormous economic, political, and strategic influence—and why “just turning it off” may not be realistic. • Misalignment risks: How systems pursuing the *wrong* objectives could cause harm even without malicious intent. • Societal choices: How decisions made today—by researchers, companies, and governments—may shape whether AI becomes a tool we control or a force we struggle to contain.
What you’ll get:
• A clear, non-technical introduction to core ideas from AI safety and existential risk research. • Live demonstrations of current AI capabilities, to ground abstract concerns in real systems. • Small-group discussions and thought experiments that connect AI risks to everyday life, institutions, and incentives. • A better mental model for evaluating headlines, hype, and claims about AI progress.
Format & vibe: This is not a lecture it is an interactive workshop designed to help people think clearly about a topic that is increasingly important and moving very quickly. Whether you’re new to AI, casually interested, or deeply unsure what to believe, you’ll leave with a clearer picture of *why* many researchers take superintelligence seriously—and *what’s actually at stake* if we get it wrong.
This event is NOT hosted, sponsored, or endorsed by The Seattle Public Library. Any views that are discussed in this meeting are not a reflection of The Seattle Public Library’s views.
