Yuval Noah Harari | 21 Lessons for the 21st Century | Talks at Google

Wilson White introduces the event and guest, Professor Yuval Noah Harari, an Israeli historian and best-selling author known for his books that explore human history and future. The discussion is set to cover themes from Harari's works, including AI ethics, technology ethics, free will, and consciousness.

Harari emphasizes the unpredictability of the future and the necessity of teaching emotional intelligence and mental stability to young people. He suggests that the ability to reinvent oneself will be crucial, as the job market and world will change significantly. Harari also touches on the psychological challenges of adapting to these changes.

The conversation shifts to the crisis in liberal democracy, which Harari attributes to an outdated philosophical foundation based on free will. He discusses how corporations and governments are gaining privileged access to personal data, potentially understanding individuals better than they understand themselves, which challenges the liberal worldview.

Harari explains that the real revolution lies in the convergence of AI and biotechnology. He predicts that as biometric sensors advance, humans will no longer be a 'black box,' and external entities may understand human beings better than they understand themselves. This development will have profound implications for privacy, identity, and free will.

Despite potential dystopian outcomes, Harari acknowledges the significant benefits of technology, such as improvements in healthcare and reductions in traffic accidents with self-driving cars. He stresses that technology is not deterministic and can be used to create a paradise or a hell, depending on human choices.

The discussion explores the distinction between religion and spirituality. Harari differentiates between a god of cosmic mystery and a god of petty lawgiver, advocating for a focus on spirituality, which is about questioning and exploring the big questions in life, rather than adhering to rigid religious answers.

Harari delves into the concept of human fictions, such as religions, nations, and corporations, which are powerful constructs that humans use to organize on a large scale. He argues that while these are fictional, they hold immense power and can be used for good, as long as humans remember that they serve these constructs, not the other way around.

Addressing the issue of fake news, Harari suggests that the current model of the news market, which prioritizes attention over truth, is problematic. He proposes a shift towards a model that values high-quality news and does not exploit human attention, which would involve a willingness to pay for credible journalism.

The Q&A session begins with questions about creating global organizations to solve global problems, the role of self-knowledge and intelligence in personal development, and the impact of technology on empathy and compassion. Harari stresses the need for global cooperation to address issues like climate change and AI regulation.

Harari shares his eclectic reading habits and emphasizes the importance of reading widely to gain new insights. He discusses how meditation has influenced his life and work, providing clarity and focus, and helping him distinguish between the fictions of the mind and reality.

The discussion addresses rising inequality and the potential role of technology in creating a more equitable world. Harari suggests that a new economic paradigm may be necessary due to automation and the changing job market, with a focus on global inequality rather than just national inequality.

Harari discusses his approach to making predictions about the future, emphasizing the need to consider multiple possibilities and to be aware of the worst potential outcomes. He also talks about the influence of meditation on his work and thinking, and the importance of understanding oneself to develop compassion.

In conclusion, Harari is asked to assign a project to Google with a 'magic wand.' He suggests developing an AI system designed to protect individual users rather than exploit their data for commercial purposes, aligning with Google's mission to improve lives through technology.