Why Good Advice is "Obvious" and How AI Will Save The World

Why Good Advice is "Obvious" and How AI Will Save The World

In a world filled with information and advice, it's easy to overlook the value of obvious advice. We often dismiss it, thinking that we already know what it entails. However, what we fail to realize is that good advice, even if it seems obvious, can still be incredibly useful. The key lies in recognizing that obviousness is not about the novelty of information, but rather about whether it challenges our intuitions.

Our intuitions are often fuzzy, making it difficult to discern between what is truly valuable and what isn't. We are prone to believe in scenarios that seem plausible, even if they are not necessarily accurate. This is where the importance of focusing on the basics comes into play. Instead of searching for secrets or groundbreaking ideas, knowledge is about identifying the mundane yet plausible explanations for how things work.

Take the example of promoting a book. It may seem obvious that appearing on podcasts and generating buzz in the first weeks of its release can help in its promotion. However, while this knowledge may be widely known, very few people actually put it into practice. The lesson here is that even if advice seems apparent, taking action on it can make a significant difference.

Now, let's shift gears and explore the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in saving the world. AI is essentially the application of mathematics and software code to teach computers how to understand, synthesize, and generate knowledge in ways similar to humans. It has the power to make everything we care about better.

Human intelligence has been the driving force behind countless advancements throughout history. It has enabled us to shape the world we live in today. AI offers us the opportunity to augment human intelligence and take it to unprecedented levels. Imagine a future where every child has an AI tutor by their side, guiding them through their development and maximizing their potential. This AI tutor would possess infinite patience, compassion, knowledge, and helpfulness.

But AI's potential goes beyond education. AI assistants could be present in every aspect of our lives, maximizing our outcomes and decision-making processes. Even in warfare, AI could play a role in reducing wartime death rates by assisting leaders in making better decisions under intense pressure and limited information.

Despite AI's immense potential, there is often a fear surrounding its development. This fear stems from a long history of moral panics associated with new technologies. However, it's crucial to understand that AI is not alive and does not possess goals or intentions. It is simply a tool, like any other machine. The automation-kills-jobs argument is also flawed, as history has shown that technological advancements lead to economic growth, job creation, and the fulfillment of endless human wants and needs.