Yuval Noah Harari on Trump, AI, and the Future of Trust

In this segment, Ari Melber welcomes Yuval Noah Harari, a prominent historian and author known for his influential works, including Sapiens. The conversation begins with a light-hearted reference to pop culture, specifically the Met Gala and Billie Eilish, setting the stage for a deeper discussion on the implications of misinformation in today's society.

• Yuval Noah Harari is introduced as a renowned historian.
• His book Sapiens has sold over 40 million copies.
• The discussion touches on the intersection of celebrity culture and misinformation.

"We are reaching a point when it becomes impossible to tell the difference between a real photo or video and a fake just by looking at it." 2:08

Harari emphasizes the growing difficulty in distinguishing between reality and fabricated content, particularly in the age of AI. He uses the example of Billie Eilish to illustrate how misinformation can affect individuals, highlighting the broader societal implications.

• The collapse of trust in images and videos.
• The role of AI in creating convincing fakes.
• The need for institutional trust to navigate misinformation.

"If we want to protect trust in human society, what we need to do is to ban fake people." 4:38

Harari discusses the critical role of leaders in fostering trust within society. He reflects on historical patterns of trust-building and the current challenges posed by leaders who may undermine this trust, either intentionally or unintentionally.

• Leaders are responsible for building social trust.
• Historical context of trust in human networks.
• The dangers of leaders who spread misinformation.

"The biggest human accomplishment of all was building trust between larger and larger networks of human beings." 7:47

The conversation shifts to the paradox of advanced information technology leading to a decline in meaningful communication. Harari argues that while technology has evolved, it has also eroded the trust built over millennia.

• The role of technology in communication.
• The erosion of trust due to intermediaries like AI.
• The historical context of ideological differences and their impact on trust.

"We are now seeing a paradox that we have the most sophisticated information technology in history and people are losing the ability to hold a conversation." 13:18

Harari warns about the potential rise of social credit systems, drawing parallels to historical totalitarian regimes. He emphasizes the need for regulation to prevent the emergence of such systems, which could lead to unprecedented levels of control.

• The concept of social credit systems and their implications.
• Historical examples of totalitarian control.
• The necessity of resisting such systems to protect individual freedoms.

"This could lead to the creation of total surveillance regimes." 24:48

In a striking analysis, Harari compares Trump's approach to politics with medieval practices, where personal relationships dictated political agreements. He warns that this perspective could lead to a breakdown of international norms and agreements.

• The shift from modern political relations to a medieval mindset.
• The implications of viewing politics as personal transactions.
• The potential for increased military expenditure and conflict.

"Trump's view of politics is a medieval view." 31:55

As the discussion progresses, Harari addresses the future of humanity in relation to AI and biotechnology. He posits that if humanity survives, it will undergo radical changes, potentially leading to a new form of existence.

• The potential for AI to mimic consciousness.
• The implications of biotechnology on human evolution.
• The uncertainty surrounding the future of human society.

"If we survive for a thousand years, we will change ourselves so radically that we will no longer be homo sapiens." 47:31

In the closing segment, Harari reflects on the nature of good and evil in society, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and understanding among individuals. He expresses hope for humanity, despite the challenges posed by misinformation and technological advancements.

• The importance of collaboration in addressing societal issues.
• Acknowledgment of the complexity of human nature.
• A hopeful outlook on the potential for positive change.

"I’ve met quite a few people who are misinformed or confused, but I would be hard-pressed to list people who I think are really evil." 52:49