Carissa Véliz critiques AI prediction and societal impact in new book 'Prophecy'

12 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Apr 29

Oxford philosopher Carissa Véliz’s book 'Prophecy' explores how Big Tech uses predictive AI to amass power, arguing these technologies undermine safety and freedom.
Véliz traces the history of prediction from ancient oracles to modern algorithms, warning that AI’s focus on plausible responses, not truth, poses immediate societal risks.
She challenges the emphasis on hypothetical existential threats from AI, urging attention to real-world consequences of predictive technologies and their influence on individual autonomy and society.

Can new laws requiring AI transparency truly protect us from its deeply persuasive and manipulative power?

As AI becomes an oracle for our lives, are we losing the freedom to create our own unexpected futures?

Is focusing on AI's current biases distracting us from a potential existential threat it poses to humanity?

If AI assistants are proven to affirm unethical choices, how can we trust them for daily guidance?

Can AI ever escape its programming to only see past patterns, or will it always lack true causal understanding?