Thread by @swardley

X : Future threats to humanity? Climate Change? Politics?
Me : Inequality.
X : You think it'll be worse?
Me : Much worse, especially as we divide into the three classes.
X : Three?
Me : Human (third class), AI (second) and Human + AI (first class) - for those who can afford it.

X : Human + AI?
Me : The centaur class. This is the real threat to equality. Why do you think the Beijing AI principles spell out "be designed to benefit as many people as possible, especially those who would otherwise be easily neglected" - baai.ac.cn/news/beijing-a…

X : China? You saying China is leading the way on AI ethics?
Me : Next year is the centenary of the CCP. They've been focused on eradicating poverty, in the next wave as China pushes for world leadership they'll tackle the one area the West is totally exposed on ... inequality.

This was recently spelt out in 100 foot high letters by President Xi - fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/zxxx_6… from the "vision of a community" to "we must face up to major issues such as the wealth gap and the development divide"

X : In the West?
Me : There are two ways to maintain power, either do good and educate people or manipulate perceptions and behaviour. Manipulating perceptions and behaviour has become very cheap these days.
X : What are you saying?
Me : Look around you at the post truth world.

X : Any advice?
Me : Same as always. We need to all have that "we" vs "me" discussion and rebalance society, rebuild bridges (especially with the forgotten) and introduce a lot more kindess into our systems.

X : Escape to space?
Me : How does that fix inequality?
X : Avoids climate change?
Me : God help us. Industrlalisation of space technology is accelerating but that comes at a risk.
X : What?
Me : Someone will deliberately kick off the Kessler effect. You're not going anywhere.