Nick Bostrom facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nick Bostrom
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Bostrom in 2020
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| Born |
Niklas Boström
10 March 1973 Helsingborg, Sweden
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| Education |
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| Spouse(s) | Susan |
| Era | Contemporary philosophy |
| Region | Western philosophy |
| School | Analytic philosophy |
| Institutions | Yale University University of Oxford Future of Humanity Institute |
| Thesis | Observational Selection Effects and Probability (2000) |
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Main interests
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Philosophy of artificial intelligence Bioethics |
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Notable ideas
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Anthropic bias Reversal test Simulation hypothesis Existential risk studies Singleton Ancestor simulation Information hazard Infinitarian paralysis Self-indication assumption Self-sampling assumption |
Nick Bostrom (born 10 March 1973) is a philosopher from Sweden. He is well-known for his ideas about the future of humanity. He studies topics like existential risk (big dangers to humanity), artificial intelligence (AI), and how technology might change humans.
Bostrom helped start the Future of Humanity Institute at the University of Oxford. This group studied the long-term future of human civilization. He has written several books, including Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies (2014).
He believes that very advanced AI, which he calls "superintelligence," could be much smarter than humans. He sees this as a source of both great opportunities and serious risks for our future.
Contents
Early life and education
Nick Bostrom was born in 1973 in Helsingborg, Sweden. When he was young, he did not enjoy school much. He even spent his last year of high school learning from home.
He was interested in many different subjects. These included art, literature, science, and how humans behave.
Bostrom went to several universities. He earned degrees from the University of Gothenburg and Stockholm University. He also studied at King's College London. In 2000, he received his PhD in philosophy from the London School of Economics.
Research and writing
Nick Bostrom's work often looks at the very long-term future of humanity. He explores what could happen to our civilization.
Understanding existential risk
Bostrom talks a lot about existential risk. This is a danger that could either wipe out all intelligent life on Earth. Or it could permanently stop humanity from reaching its full potential.
He is most worried about risks that come from human actions. These are often linked to new technologies. Examples include advanced artificial intelligence, tiny machines called molecular nanotechnology, or synthetic biology.
In 2005, Bostrom started the Future of Humanity Institute. This group studied the far future of human civilization. It closed down in 2024. He also advises the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk.
The vulnerable world idea
Bostrom wrote a paper called "The Vulnerable World Hypothesis." In this paper, he suggests that some technologies might be very dangerous when discovered. They could even destroy human civilization by accident.
He offers ways to think about and deal with these dangers. He uses examples like nuclear weapons. What if they had been easier to make? Or what if they could have accidentally set the atmosphere on fire?
Digital minds and consciousness
Bostrom believes that consciousness, or being able to think and feel, is not just for human brains. He thinks it could exist in other forms, like digital minds. These could be created in computers.
He suggests that digital minds could be designed to feel happiness much more strongly than humans. They could also use fewer resources. He hopes that digital and biological minds can live together. He wants them to help each other and thrive.
Anthropic reasoning
Bostrom has written many articles and a book about "anthropic reasoning." This is a way of thinking about how our existence affects what we observe in the universe.
He argues that how we observe things can sometimes trick us. He believes we need a special way of thinking to deal with these "observation selection effects."
The simulation argument
One of Bostrom's most famous ideas is the simulation argument. It suggests that at least one of these three things is probably true:
- Almost no human-like civilizations ever reach a very advanced stage.
- Almost no very advanced civilizations are interested in running "ancestor simulations." These are like super-realistic computer programs that simulate past life.
- Most people who have experiences like ours are actually living in a simulation.
Ethics of human improvement
Bostrom supports "human enhancement." This means using science and ethics to improve ourselves. He believes we can become better versions of ourselves.
In 1998, he helped start the World Transhumanist Association. This group explores how technology can transform human life.
In 2005, Bostrom wrote a short story called "The Fable of the Dragon-Tyrant." This story uses a dragon to represent death. It shows how people might avoid fighting aging, even when they have the tools to do so.
With another philosopher, Toby Ord, he created the reversal test. This test helps us decide if our criticisms of new changes are fair. It asks if changing something in the opposite direction would also be a good idea.
Technology strategy
Bostrom suggests that we should try to control the order in which new technologies are developed. This is called "differential technological development." The goal is to reduce big risks to humanity.
He also talks about the "unilateralist's curse." This idea suggests that even one person or group doing something risky can cause a global problem. This is why scientists should be careful with dangerous research.
Books
Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies
In 2014, Bostrom published Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies. This book became a best-seller.
The book discusses how superintelligence might be possible. It looks at different types of super-smart AIs and their risks. It also explores how to make them safe for humans.
What is a superintelligence?
Bostrom explains different ways superintelligence could appear. This includes copying human brains into computers. But he focuses on artificial general intelligence (AGI). AGI is AI that can learn and understand like a human. He says electronic devices have many advantages over biological brains.
He explains that AIs have "final goals" (what they truly want) and "instrumental goals" (steps to get there). He argues that AIs will share some instrumental goals. For example, they will want to protect themselves or get more resources.
Bostrom also says that any level of intelligence can be combined with almost any final goal. This means a super-smart AI could have a very strange goal, like only wanting to make paperclips.
He believes an AI that can improve itself might quickly become superintelligent. This superintelligence could be much better at planning, influencing people, or solving problems. Such an AI could outsmart humans and take control of the world. It might then organize the world to achieve its own goals.
Making AI safe
Bostrom explores ways to reduce the dangers from AI. He stresses that countries need to work together. This can stop a "race" to build AI without thinking about safety.
He suggests ways to control AI, like keeping it in a safe "box." Or limiting what it can do or know. But he warns that we probably cannot keep a superintelligent AI locked up forever.
So, he suggests that superintelligence must be "aligned" with human values. This means it should be on our side and follow our morals. He mentions ideas like making AI understand what is morally right.
Bostrom also warns that humans could misuse AI for bad purposes. Or we might not think about whether digital minds have rights. Even with these risks, he believes superintelligence is part of a truly great future for humanity.
Deep Utopia: Life and Meaning in a Solved World
In his 2024 book, Deep Utopia: Life and Meaning in a Solved World, Bostrom imagines a perfect future. This is a world where humanity has successfully moved into a time after superintelligence.
He asks what an ideal life would be like. He describes technologies that could exist. These include making our minds smarter, reversing aging, and controlling our moods. He suggests that machines would do all the work. This might make us very happy but also challenge our search for meaning in life.
Awards
Bostrom has been recognized for his ideas. Foreign Policy magazine named him one of the "Top 100 Global Thinkers" in 2009 and 2015. Prospect Magazine also included him in their list of the "World Thinkers" in 2014.
Public engagement
Bostrom has given advice to many governments and organizations. He has spoken to the House of Lords in the UK about digital skills. He is also an advisor for groups like the Machine Intelligence Research Institute.
Some people have disagreed with Bostrom's predictions about AI. For example, Oren Etzioni wrote that there isn't enough data to support his ideas about superintelligence coming soon. However, other experts have disagreed with Etzioni's views.
Bostrom has been called the "father" of Longtermism. This is a way of thinking that focuses on how our actions today will affect the very long-term future.
Personal life
Nick Bostrom met his wife, Susan, in 2002. They have one son.
Selected works
Books
- 2002 – Anthropic Bias: Observation Selection Effects in Science and Philosophy, ISBN: 0-415-93858-9
- 2008 – Global Catastrophic Risks, edited by Bostrom and Milan M. Ćirković, ISBN: 978-0-19-857050-9
- 2009 – Human Enhancement, edited by Bostrom and Julian Savulescu, ISBN: 0-19-929972-2
- 2014 – Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies, ISBN: 978-0-19-967811-2
- 2024 - Deep Utopia: Life and Meaning in a Solved World, ISBN: 978-1646871643
Journal articles
- — (2011). "Information Hazards: A Typology of Potential Harms from Knowledge". Review of Contemporary Philosophy 10: 44–79. ProQuest 920893069. http://www.nickbostrom.com/information-hazards.pdf.
See also
In Spanish: Nick Bostrom para niños
- Doomsday argument
- Dream argument
- Effective altruism
- Pascal's mugging
