'AI Is a Dangerous Distraction From the Pressing Issues Defining Our Generation'; A Conversation with Liam Young
Chile rockwood lithium pools, image credit: Liam Young
Liam Young, the visionary artist, filmmaker, and speculative architect extraordinaire, passionately shares his unfiltered views on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in our contemporary world. Bucking the trend of AI fascination, Young boldly declares that it has become a dangerous distraction, diverting our attention from the pressing issues that define our generation.
With an unmistakable sense of urgency, Young speaks to Architect and proclaims that the world is ablaze with the relentless flames of climate catastrophe. While this crisis creeps upon us, cloaked in its slow yet devastating impact, it is all too easy for society to turn a blind eye or brush it aside. However, Young asserts that climate change is not a technological puzzle to solve; it is a profound cultural and political predicament demanding immediate action.
The Great Endeavour by Liam Young. Image credit: Liam Young
Venturing into uncharted territory, Young's imaginative works, such as Planet City and The Great Endeavour, dare to dream big—propelling us toward radical, systemic transformations on a planetary scale. By championing massive cooperative efforts and multinational collaborations, Young envisions a future where audacious ideas pave the way for tackling our most daunting challenges. In his eyes, AI is nothing more than a humble signpost on this transformative journey, neither a saviour nor an apocalyptic force.
With a touch of provocation, Young cautions against the dangerous tendency to frame AI as the ultimate solution or harbinger of doom. Rather than being enslaved by our fears or intoxicated by technological utopias, he reminds us that AI is a mere reflection of our own desires and anxieties. It should be wielded as a tool—an instrument of our own making, not an entity to be worshipped or feared.
Liam Young’s TED garnered 2 million views in only 6 months
Reflecting on the public's response to AI versus climate change, Young alludes to an eye-opening open letter signed by influential tech figures. Surprisingly, the letter emphasised the need to address AI risks alongside pandemics and nuclear war but overlooked the imminent threat of climate change. This intriguing omission prompts Young to ponder the reasons behind the divergent sense of urgency. He posits that the immediate impact and palpable consequences of AI-related job displacements captivate our attention more readily, while the intangible nature of climate change's long-term effects creates an unsettling displacement in our collective consciousness.
In true Liam Young fashion, his spirited insights challenge the status quo and rally us to shift our focus from AI distractions to the authentic challenges that demand our immediate attention. By injecting a healthy dose of reality into the conversation, Young urges us to confront the realities of our time, driving us toward meaningful action and a brighter future.
Liam Young at Made in Space in Copenhagen