Fear of Super Intelligent AI Is Driving Harvard and MIT Students to Drop Out
16 days ago
- #College Dropouts
- #AI Safety
- #AGI Risks
- AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) could emerge within a decade, prompting concerns about human extinction.
- College students, including those from elite universities like MIT and Harvard, are dropping out to work on AI safety and prevention.
- Alice Blair left MIT to work at the Center for AI Safety, fearing AGI could lead to human extinction.
- A 2024 U.S. Department of State report warns of 'extinction-level' risks from rapid AI development.
- Some researchers, like NYU's Gary Marcus, believe human extinction is unlikely but support AI safety efforts.
- Students like Adam Kaufman (Harvard) are leaving school to work at AI safety nonprofits like Redwood Research.
- Many fear AGI will automate jobs, with some predicting full economic automation by 2030.
- Companies like Anthropic warn AI could eliminate half of entry-level white-collar jobs, raising unemployment to 20%.
- Debates exist on AGI timelines: OpenAI's Sam Altman predicts before 2029, while skeptics like Gary Marcus doubt near-term feasibility.
- Some dropouts, like Anysphere's Michael Truell and Mercor's Brendan Foody, pursue AI startups amid fears of labor replacement.
- Dropping out risks long-term earnings, as degree holders typically earn $20K+ more annually.
- Even Y Combinator's Paul Graham advises against dropping out, citing irreplaceable college experiences.