Approaching the AI Event Horizon? Part 2, w/ Abhi Mahajan, Helen Toner, Jeremie Harris, @8teAPi
Abhi Mahajan (@owlposting) explains how AI is reshaping biology and medicine, including foundation models to predict cancer treatment response and why he’s both skeptical and optimistic about current results. Helen Toner unpacks CSET’s “When AI Builds AI” report and why automated AI R&D is a major source of strategic surprise. Jeremie Harris then explores our lack of control over superhuman AI systems, fragile US–China coordination, and how to maintain situational awareness in a rapidly shifting landscape.
Nathan uses Granola to uncover blind spots in conversations and AI research. Try it at granola.ai/tcr with code TCR — and if you’re already using it, test his blind spot recipe here: https://bit.ly/granolablindspot
LINKS:
Abhi Mahajan's Owl Posting site
Heuristics for lab robotics article
Deep Research on Noetik AI
Sponsors:
GovAI:
GovAI was founded ten years ago on the belief that AI would end up transforming our world. Ten years later, the organization is at the forefront of trying to help decision-makers in government and industry navigate the transition to advanced AI. GovAI is now hiring Research Scholars (one-year positions for those transitioning into AI policy) and Research Fellows (longer-term roles for experienced researchers). Both roles offer significant freedom to pursue policy research, advise decision-makers, or launch new initiatives. Applications close 22 February 2026. Apply at: https://www.governance.ai/opportunities
Blitzy:
Blitzy is the autonomous code generation platform that ingests millions of lines of code to accelerate enterprise software development by up to 5x with premium, spec-driven output. Schedule a strategy session with their AI solutions consultants at https://blitzy.com
Tasklet:
Tasklet is an AI agent that automates your work 24/7; just describe what you want in plain English and it gets the job done. Try it for free and use code COGREV for 50% off your first month at https://tasklet.ai
Serval:
Serval uses AI-powered automations to cut IT help desk tickets by more than 50%, freeing your team from repetitive tasks like password resets and onboarding. Book your free pilot and guarantee 50% help desk automation by week four at https://serval.com/cognitive
Claude
Claude is the AI collaborator that understands your entire workflow, from drafting and research to coding and complex problem-solving. Start tackling bigger problems with Claude and unlock Claude Pro’s full capabilities at https://claude.ai/tcr
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Helen Toner: OpenAI Reflections, Adaptation Buffers, and AI in Warfare
In this thought-provoking conversation, Helen Toner, Director of Strategy at the Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET), discusses her perspectives on AI development, regulation, and international competition. Toner shares insights from her time on OpenAI's board, clarifying that reports about a "Q*" breakthrough influencing the board's decision were "totally false." She introduces her concept of "adaptation buffers"—critical windows of time between when AI capabilities are first demonstrated and when they become widely accessible—arguing that society needs this time to build resilience against potential misuse. Toner also explores the challenges of implementing effective AI governance, military applications of AI decision support systems, and the complex dynamics of US-China relations in the emerging AI landscape.
Helen Toner's appearance on the TED AI show: https://www.ted.com/talks/the_ted_ai_show_what_really_went_down_at_openai_and_the_future_of_regulation_w_helen_toner
Helen Toner's substack : https://helentoner.substack.com/
Additional recommended reads:
https://helentoner.substack.com/p/nonproliferation-is-the-wrong-approach
https://cset.georgetown.edu/publication/ai-for-military-decision-making/
https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/ai-regulation-s-champions-can-seize-common-ground-or-be-swept-aside
https://www.economist.com/by-invitation/2024/05/26/ai-firms-mustnt-govern-themselves-say-ex-members-of-openais-board
SPONSORS:
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI): Oracle Cloud Infrastructure offers next-generation cloud solutions that cut costs and boost performance. With OCI, you can run AI projects and applications faster and more securely for less. New U.S. customers can save 50% on compute, 70% on storage, and 80% on networking by switching to OCI before May 31, 2024. See if you qualify at https://oracle.com/cognitive
Shopify: Shopify powers millions of businesses worldwide, handling 10% of U.S. e-commerce. With hundreds of templates, AI tools for product descriptions, and seamless marketing campaign creation, it's like having a design studio and marketing team in one. Start your $1/month trial today at https://shopify.com/cognitive
NetSuite: Over 41,000 businesses trust NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud ERP, to future-proof their operations. With a unified platform for accounting, financial management, inventory, and HR, NetSuite provides real-time insights and forecasting to help you make quick, informed decisions. Whether you're earning millions or hundreds of millions, NetSuite empowers you to tackle challenges and seize opportunities. Download the free CFO's guide to AI and machine learning at https://netsuite.com/cognitive
PRODUCED BY:
https://aipodcast.ing
CHAPTERS:
(00:00) Teaser
(06:04) Introduction and Background
(09:32) AI Timeline Perspectives
(12:26) OpenAI Board Experience
(17:04) OpenAI Culture Discussion (Part 1)
(19:20) Sponsors: Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) | Shopify
(20:33) Sponsors: Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) | Shopify
(22:30) OpenAI Culture Discussion (Part 2)
(24:03) OpenAI's Contradictory Messaging
(26:15) Whistleblowing in AI
(31:30) AI Transparency Requirements (Part 1)
(36:30) Sponsors: NetSuite
(37:58) AI Transparency Requirements (Part 2)
(38:38) Adaptation Buffers Concept
(44:06) Technical vs. Societal Solutions
(52:13) AI Regulation Approaches
(57:20) Iterative Deployment Challenges
(01:05:50) US-China AI Competition
(01:14:54) Military Decision Support Systems
(01:20:57) Future AI Military Equilibrium
(01:27:39) Outro
Is there a right way to regulate AI? (w. Helen Toner)
What is the right way to regulate AI? There appears to be as many different answers to that as there are regulators. On today's episode of Equity, we're bringing you a live interview from TechCrunch's recent Strictly VC event. Equity co-host Becca Szkutak sat down with Helen Toner, the director of strategy and foundational research grants from the Center of Security and Emerging Technology and a former board member of OpenAI. The pair discussed companies' ability to self-regulate, what impact regulation could have on startup innovation and so much more.
Equity is TechCrunch’s flagship podcast, produced by Theresa Loconsolo, and posts every Wednesday and Friday. Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts.
You also can follow Equity on X and Threads, at @EquityPod. For the full episode transcript, for those who prefer reading over listening, check out our full archive of episodes over at Simplecast.
Credits: Equity is produced by Theresa Loconsolo with editing by Kell. Bryce Durbin is our Illustrator. We'd also like to thank the audience development team and Henry Pickavet, who manages TechCrunch audio products.
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Sunday Pick: What really went down at OpenAI and the future of regulation w/ Helen Toner
Each Sunday, TED shares an episode of another podcast we think you'll love, handpicked for you… by us. Today we're sharing an episode from our brand new podcast, The TED AI Show. Each week, creative technologist and former TED speaker Bilawal Sidhu sits down with the world's brightest minds to chat about the technology that might change everything -- and the technology that's just hype.
If there’s one AI company that’s made a splash in mainstream vernacular, it’s OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. Former board member, TED2024 speaker, and AI policy expert Helen Toner joins Bilawal to discuss the existing knowledge gaps and conflicting interests between those who are in charge of making the latest technology – and those who create our policies at the government level.
For transcripts for The TED AI Show, visit go.ted.com/TTAIS-transcripts
You can get more The TED AI Show wherever you're listening to this.
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How to govern AI — even if it's hard to predict | Helen Toner
No one truly understands AI, not even experts, says Helen Toner, an AI policy researcher and former board member of OpenAI. But that doesn't mean we can't govern it. She shows how we can make smart policies to regulate this technology even as we struggle to predict where it's headed — and why the right actions, right now, can shape the future we want.
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AI Ethics at Code 2023
Platformer's Casey Newton moderates a conversation at Code 2023 on ethics in artificial intelligence, with Ajeya Cotra, Senior Program Officer at Open Philanthropy, and Helen Toner, Director of Strategy at Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology. The panel discusses the risks and rewards of the technology, as well as best practices and safety measures.
Recorded on September 27th in Los Angeles.
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AI and Allies: coordinating national security with NATO and India
Jason Matheny, a commissioner at the National Security Commission on AI and head of Georgetown University's Center for Security and Emerging Technology, talks about coordinating AI developments with NATO and making India the focus of the US's Indo-Pacific AI strategy to counter China.
The Conundrum of AI Export Controls with Jason Matheny
Jason Matheny, an NSCAI commissioner who now leads a think tank at Georgetown University focused on the intersections of technology, policy and national security, spoke in this week's episode about the Commission's recommendations on export controls for sensitive technology and the difficult problem of protecting digital assets like algorithms and data.
Episode 40 - Jason Matheny
NSCAI Commissioner Jason Matheny talks about his line of effort regarding cooperation on AI with key allies and partners. He spoke about his group's recommendations that the government establish a senior national security point of contact for AI and convene a multilateral working group for AI collaboration and interoperability - as well as the need for AI war games.