Robert Wright's the God Test
Robert Wright's upcoming book, *The God Test*, explores the implications of artificial intelligence on humanity. He argues for a necessary shift in human understanding to harness AI's potential positively. The author expresses concern over current perspectives on AI and the challenges of steering grand visions for the future.
- ▪The book is subtitled 'Artificial Intelligence and Our Coming Cosmic Reckoning' and will be released on June 23.
- ▪Wright emphasizes the need for a reorientation of human thought regarding AI.
- ▪He critiques both AI accelerationists and doomers for lacking a cosmic perspective.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Robert Wright’s *The God Test* by Tyler Cowen May 24, 2026 at 12:32 am in Books Philosophy Web/Tech The subtitle is Artificial Intelligence and Our Coming Cosmic Reckoning, due out June 23. In the first chapter, Wright summarizes four of his perspectives, these are my paraphrases of his pp.5-6: 1. When it comes to AI, we should be somewhere on the awe spectrum. 2. We can create a future where the upside of AI far outweights the downside, though that involves steering human understanding toward the better side of the awe spectrum. 3. A major reorientation of human thought is required, and right now few people seem inclined to do that. 4. The worldviews of the current AI acclerationists and also doomers are not cosmic enough.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Marginal REVOLUTION.
