Torsten Persson is Professor of Economics at Institute for International Economic Studies, Stockholm University. ABSTRACT Can a democracy attract competent leaders, while attaining broad representation?

AI & Society (2020) Abstract An intelligent machine surpassing human intelligence across a wide set of skills has been proposed as a possible existential catastrophe (i.e., an event comparable in val

in: AI & SOCIETY  AbstractAn intelligent machine surpassing human intelligence across a wide set of skills has been proposed as a possible existential catastrophe (i.e., an event comparable in valueproductivedesires, or desires that can direct behavior across multiple contexts. However, productive desires cannotsui generisbe derived from non-productive desires. Thus, even though general agency in AI could in principle be created by human agents, general agency cannot be spontaneously produced by a non-general AI agent through an endogenous process (i.e. self-improvement). In conclusion, we argue that a common AI scenario, where general agency suddenly emerges in a non-general agent AI, such as DeepMind’s superintelligent board game AI AlphaZero, is not plausible.

Per-Olof H. Wikström at the University of Cambridge becomes an International Research Affiliate of the Institute. Read more about Per-Olof H. Wikström

Petri Ylikoski professor of Science and Technology Studies and the deputy director of the Finnish Centre for Excellence in Philosophy of the Social Sciences at University of Helsinki becomes an Intern

(This is a closed workshop) Program: Karen Douglas, 10.00-11.15, “The psychology of conspiracy theories”. Daniel Cohnitz, 11.15-12.30, “Conspiracy Theory Reconsidered: Generalism vs Particularism” Sandwic

On the first of January, 2022 Åsa Romson becomes the new chairman of the board at the Institute for Futures Studies. She will replace Catharina Elmsäter Svärd, who has had the position since 2016. Åsa

Theoria Abstract Definitions of disabilityare useful for different purposes and carry normative significance. However, defining disability has proven a difficult task. Communities with different theoreti

This issue is about unexpected futures in five separate areas: demography, medicine, the environment, superpowers and technology. Contents Is it harder to foresee the future nowadays?Arne Jernelöv ImaginArne Jernelöv

Richard Arneson: Should we reward the deserving? Some puzzles

Do plausible fundamental principles of justice incorporate the idea of rewarding the deserving? Utilitarianism is famously indifferent between a world in which saints fare badly and scoundrels fare we