Episode 26: How ChatGPT Will Destroy the World: But It’s Not How You Think

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🎙️ Episode 26: How ChatGPT Will Destroy the World: But It’s Not How You Think

Professor Jeff Hastings takes on the real threat of artificial intelligence in this powerful episode — and it’s not what most people think. While science fiction imagines ChatGPT becoming self-aware and destroying humanity, Hastings argues that the true danger is far more human: we might stop thinking for ourselves.

In this thought-provoking discussion, Professor Hastings explains how generative AI actually works, why it sounds so persuasive even when it’s completely wrong, and how easy it is to trust its confident answers without questioning them. He explores the consequences of a world where students outsource their writing, professionals build arguments on fabricated data, and lawmakers and journalists repeat AI-generated mistakes — all without critical examination.

Hastings also highlights how over-reliance on technology can reshape the brain, dull critical thinking, and create a culture where convenience outruns curiosity. But he doesn’t stop there. He lays out a compelling vision for using AI intentionally — showing how educators can harness it to bridge learning gaps and challenge advanced students, and how professionals can use it to focus on more meaningful, human-centered work.

Plus, Professor Hastings is joined by a special guest to dig even deeper into the future of generative AI, the human mind, and the skills we cannot afford to lose. This is one conversation you do not want to miss.

AI can make us stronger — but only if we stay awake, curious, and in charge.

For anyone wondering what happens when a society starts outsourcing its thinking, this episode is essential listening.

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