
36 segments available
This is my fourth interview with the pre-eminent infovore Tyler Cowen – and yet I’m always hearing new stuff from him. We talked at the Progress Conference 2024 about why he thinks AI won't drive explosive economic growth, the real bottlenecks on progress, him now writing for AIs instead of humans, and the difficult relationship between being cultured and fostering growth – among many other things. Thanks to the Roots of Progress Institute (with special thanks to Jason Crawford and Heike Larson) for such a wonderful conference, and to @freethink for the videography. Roots of Progress Institute: https://rootsofprogress.org/ 𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐃𝐄 𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐊𝐒 * Transcript: https://www.dwarkeshpatel.com/p/tyler-cowen-4 * Apple Podcasts: http://apple.co/3RFuS7b * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/48EIEaESY0IGxf02pzIEIN?si=d2S1y6HUQuulAOGKVV7GhQ 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐎𝐑𝐒 * I’m grateful to Tyler for volunteering to say a few words about Jane Street. It's the first time that a guest has participated in the sponsorship. I hope you can see why Tyler and I think so highly of Jane Street. To learn more about their open roles, go to https://janestreet.com/dwarkesh 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐒 00:00:00 - Economic Growth and AI 00:15:45 - Founder Mode and increasing variance 00:30:19 - Effective Altruism and Progress Studies 00:33:53 - What AI changes for Tyler 00:45:45 - The slow diffusion of innovation 00:50:41 - Stalin's library 00:53:07 - DC vs SF vs EU
Tyler Cowen discusses why he believes AI will not lead to explosive economic growth rates. He explains the concept of 'cost disease' in sectors that cannot effectively utilize AI, emphasizing that while some areas may see rapid growth, the overall economy will not experience a uniform surge. Cowen argues that bottlenecks in productivity and the marginal returns of intelligence will limit growth, despite advancements in AI.
"Tyler, welcome. Dwarkesh, great to be chatting with you. Why won't we have explosive economic growth, 20% plus, because of AI? It's very hard to get explosive economic growth for any reason, AI ..."
In this segment, Cowen reflects on historical perspectives of economic growth and bottlenecks. He compares the expectations of a farmer from 2000 BC regarding growth rates to modern predictions, emphasizing that despite advancements, significant bottlenecks remain. He critiques simplistic models of growth that focus solely on population increases, arguing that the quality of institutions and individuals is crucial for sustainable economic progress.
"you could agree with that, right? I don't know what the word "could" means. So I would say this: You look at market data, say real interest rates, stock prices, right now everything looks so norm..."
Cowen discusses the scarcity of high-IQ workers and its implications for economic growth. He highlights the importance of not just having intelligent individuals but also how they interact within organizations. Cowen argues that while increasing the number of high-IQ workers could theoretically boost productivity, systemic bottlenecks will still hinder overall growth.
"You're one of our best people, right? You're frustrated by all kinds of things. I think I'm gonna be making a lot more podcasts after AGI. Okay, good. I'll listen. I'll be bottlenecked by time. ..."
In this segment, Cowen predicts that AI will gradually enhance economic growth rates over decades rather than causing immediate revolutionary changes. He explains that while AI can streamline processes and reduce the time for innovations to reach the market, the overall impact will be subtle and felt over the long term, rather than explosive.
"bundles interacting with the rest of the world. Like just try going to a mid-tier state university and sit down with the committee designed to develop a plan for using artificial intelligence in ..."
Cowen emphasizes the importance of institutional reform in unlocking economic growth potential. He discusses how existing regulations and institutional frameworks can stifle innovation and growth, suggesting that addressing these bottlenecks is crucial for harnessing the benefits of AI and other technological advancements.
"feel it as so revolutionary for a long time. The whole vibe of this progress studies thing is, look, we've got all these low-hanging fruits or medium-hanging fruits that if we fix our institution..."
Cowen addresses the human element as a significant bottleneck in the adoption of AI technologies. He discusses the potential for societal resistance to changes brought about by AI, highlighting the challenges of shifting mindsets and the fear of losing traditional ways of life. This resistance could slow down the integration of AI into various sectors.
"The fact that there's like a billion of your GPT whatevers, which I'm all in love with, I promise you it's going to take a while. What would the experts say if you said, look, we're going to have..."
In this concluding segment, Cowen reflects on his evolving views regarding AI's potential. He acknowledges that while he has become more optimistic about AI's capabilities, he remains cautious about its immediate impact on economic growth. Cowen discusses the rapid advancements in AI and their implications for future economic reasoning and productivity.
"have to go from the farmers to industrial revolution 10x. You can just look at actually cases in history where we have had 10x rates, sorry, 10% increase rates of economic growth. You go to Chin..."
In this segment, Cowen reflects on his evolving perspective on AI, noting that he now sees more potential in its capabilities than he did a year ago. He discusses the impressive advancements in AI models and speculates on the future of AI surpassing human experts in economic reasoning, highlighting the rapid pace of development in the field.
"I don't remember what I thought in what month, but I would say on the whole, I see more potential in AI than I did a year ago. I think it has made progress more quickly than I had been expecting, ..."
Cowen draws a parallel between his experience with AI and Garry Kasparov's matches against Deep Blue, illustrating the human bottlenecks in decision-making. He reflects on the implications of AI's capabilities and the potential for AI to outperform humans in complex tasks, emphasizing the ongoing evolution of AI technology.
"shocked if somebody's AI model, in less than three years, beat human experts on a regular basis. Let's put it that way. Did that update you in any way, that now you've resigned on these questions..."
Cowen discusses the significance of founders in organizations, emphasizing their unique courage and vision. He compares the Beatles' success to the importance of having founders at the helm of institutions, arguing that founders can navigate significant changes and maintain a creative direction, which is crucial for long-term success.
"Yesterday, Patrick was talking about how important it is for the founders of different institutions to hang around and be the ones in charge. I've heard you talk about, you know, the Beatles wer..."
In this segment, Cowen analyzes the dynamics within the Beatles, highlighting how their creative tension contributed to their success. He reflects on the instability of their group and the impact of individual contributions, suggesting that their unique collaboration is a valuable case study in productivity and creativity.
"for courage. Those would be two reasons. How does that explain the Beatles' success? Well, the Beatles are an interesting example. I mean, they broke up in 1970, right? The Rolling Stones are stil..."
Cowen presents his view on the competency crisis, arguing that while the top performers are excelling, there is a concerning decline in the middle tier of talent. He discusses the implications of this increasing variance in performance across different fields, including chess and sports, and the potential societal impacts.
"observation of the competency crisis? I see it differently from Patrick, and he and I have discussed this. I think there's basically increasing variance in the distribution. Young people at the to..."
In this segment, Cowen addresses concerns about declining test scores and educational performance. He argues that while there may be some decline, the overall narrative is overblown, and he believes that the top performers are improving, suggesting a complex picture of educational outcomes.
"pretty proven by numbers that that's the case. I would say this increasing variance is a weird mix of where the gains and declines are showing up. I've said this to Patrick, and I'm going to say ..."
Cowen responds to anecdotal claims about the quality of students from Stanford, asserting that the institution continues to produce impressive graduates. He emphasizes the importance of high standards and the overall success of Stanford students in various fields, countering negative perceptions.
"there's a very modest decline, I would say. If the top is getting better, what do you make of the anecdotal data he was talking about yesterday where the Stanford kids come up to him and say, "Al..."
Cowen reflects on historical leaders like Winston Churchill, discussing their early careers and the perceptions of their effectiveness. He contrasts past leaders with contemporary figures, exploring the complexities of leadership and the challenges faced by historical figures in their time.
"high standards the Beatles had. How old are you, by the way? Okay, now go back however many years. Was there a 24-year-old like you doing the equivalent of podcasting? It's just clearly better now..."
In this segment, Cowen examines the emergence of destructive leaders in the early 20th century, discussing the factors that contributed to their rise. He highlights the impact of new technologies and societal disorientation, suggesting that these elements played a role in the selection of poor leadership during tumultuous times.
"Okay, so even if you don't buy the Stanford kids, if you don't buy the young kids, the other trend he was talking about, where if you look at the leaders in government, whatever you think of Tru..."
Cowen discusses the volatility that often accompanies periods of significant change, using 17th-century England as a historical example. He explores the interplay of new ideas, economic growth, and global power dynamics, suggesting that such transitions can lead to instability and uncertainty.
"but that would be like a partial start. You compared our current period to 17th-century England, where you have a lot of new ideas and things go topsy-turvy. What's your theory of why things go t..."
Cowen reflects on the challenge of ensuring that societal advancements yield positive outcomes without descending into chaos. He emphasizes the importance of guiding progress to maximize benefits while minimizing the risks of societal upheaval.
"It seems like a simple question, but how do you make sure we get the good things and not the crazy civil war as well? You try at the margin to nudge toward the better set of things. But it's poss..."
Cowen discusses the trajectory of the Effective Altruism movement, predicting its decline after a peak period. He shares insights from his experiences at an EA meeting, highlighting the fragility of movements and the common patterns of rise and fall he has observed throughout history.
"What's your most underrated cult? Most underrated cult? Progress studies. I think you called peak EA right before SBF fell. That's right. I was at an EA meeting, and I said, "Hey everyone, this is ..."
Cowen elaborates on the indicators of decline in social movements, including excessive enthusiasm and lack of institutional support. He draws parallels with past movements, suggesting that the absence of solid foundations can lead to fragility and eventual collapse.
"Well, I was surprised when SBF was insolvent. I thought it was a high-risk venture that had no regulatory defense and would end up being worth zero, but I didn't think he was actually playing fu..."
Cowen shares his vision for the future of Progress Studies, emphasizing its decentralized nature and potential for lasting impact. He expresses optimism about the positive changes it could bring to science policy and societal progress.
"still. And from this day onwards, I don't give up that belief at all. But just as a movement, I thought it was going to collapse. When do we hit peak progress studies? You know, when Patrick and I..."
Cowen discusses how the advent of AI influences his approach to Progress Studies. He highlights the increased complexity of decision-making and the rising value of human input in a world where AI plays a significant role.
"That's not proven yet. You see some signs of that. You wouldn't say it's really flipped, but a lot of reforms. You're in an area like no one else has any idea, much less a better idea or a good id..."
Cowen reveals his shift in writing focus towards AIs, explaining that he aims to create content that resonates with AI systems. He argues that this approach is essential as AIs become a significant audience, shaping how future generations perceive his work.
"I think of myself over time as less a producer of content and more a connector, people person, developing networks in a way where if there somehow had been no transformers and LLMs, I would have..."
In a discussion about the limitations of AI, Cowen emphasizes the importance of human interaction in assessing potential. He reflects on how non-verbal cues and personal vibes play a crucial role in decision-making processes that AI cannot replicate.
"As far as I can tell, no one else is doing this. No one is writing or recording for the AIs very much. But if you believe even a modest version of this progress—and I'm modest in what I believe ..."
Cowen shares insights on recognizing talent during interviews, highlighting the significance of candidates' ability to articulate their ideas and priorities. He discusses the common pitfalls that applicants face and the signals that indicate their potential for success.
"Do you actually have a conscious theory of what's going on when you get on a call with somebody, and three minutes later you're like, "You're not getting the grant"? What happens? Well, often the..."
Cowen examines the dynamics of talent clusters in innovation and achievement. He argues that exceptional individuals often gravitate towards each other, creating environments that foster extraordinary outcomes, while also acknowledging the scarcity of such talent.
"And what's going on with the 75%? We don't know. But I think you can become much better at figuring out the other 75%, partly just with practice. Yesterday Patrick was talking about these concent..."
Cowen concludes with thoughts on the potential impact of AI on economic growth rates. He raises questions about the implications of AI advancements for future progress and the challenges that may arise as society adapts to these changes.
"to be seen how much it helps us with that. I'm guessing ever since you wrote the progress studies article, you got a lot of applications for Emergent Ventures from people who want to do some prog..."
Cowen emphasizes that time is the true scarce resource, rather than money. He shares his perspective on wealth accumulation and the pursuit of knowledge, aspiring to become an 'information trillionaire.' This segment highlights the philosophical approach to wealth and the importance of intellectual growth.
"Why aren't you more leveraged if you think the growth rate's going to go up even slightly? Well, I also have this view: maybe a lot of the equity premium is in the past. People, especially in thi..."
Cowen discusses the implications of specialization on individuality and progress, referencing Adam Smith's views. He expresses concerns about potential demoralization in the workforce due to AI and specialization, while maintaining a cautious optimism about future employment. This segment explores the balance between efficiency and personal fulfillment in a rapidly changing economy.
"that's great. I don't begrudge them that at all. I think it's socially valuable. Let's have more of it. Bring it on. But it's just not me. When I started my career, it was really unknown that an ..."
In this segment, Cowen critiques the overvaluation of intelligence in tech hubs like Silicon Valley, arguing that it leads to misconceptions about the speed of technological diffusion. He discusses the historical context of diminishing returns and how it applies to AI, urging a more grounded understanding of progress. This segment provides insights into the economic principles that govern innovation.
"Was there a second field that you were considering going to other than economics? It was either economics or philosophy. And I saw, back then--this would be the late 1970s--it was much harder to ..."
Cowen examines the cultural factors that contribute to the rise of autocratic leaders, using Stalin as a case study. He contrasts this with modern examples of governance, such as the UAE, to illustrate that not all autocracies are led by the worst individuals. This segment delves into the complexities of leadership and governance in different cultural contexts.
"And that's not going to change. No one's built a real model to show why it should change, other than sort of hyperventilating blog posts about everything's going to change right away. The model i..."
Cowen contrasts the perspectives of audiences in Silicon Valley and Washington D.C. regarding progress studies. He highlights the differences in thinking between these two outlier regions, emphasizing the need for a balance between ambition and wisdom in fostering growth. This segment encapsulates the diverse attitudes towards innovation and cultural values in different parts of the world.
"One concern you could have about progress in general is, if you look at the famous Adam Smith example, you've got that pin maker, and the specialization obviously has all these efficiencies. But..."
Cowen reflects on his identity as an American and how it shapes his understanding of culture compared to Europeans. He humorously describes himself as a 'barbarian' with a veneer of culture, emphasizing the differences in cultural appreciation and intellectual engagement between himself and cultured Europeans. This segment explores the complexities of cultural identity and the perception of sophistication.
"So there's some way in which all these things have to balance. I think the US has done a marvelous job at that, and we need to preserve that. What I see happening—the UK used to do a great job at..."
In this thought-provoking segment, Cowen challenges conventional definitions of autism, suggesting that many people may fall under a broader, yet unrecognized, definition. He critiques the negative connotations associated with the term and calls for a reevaluation of how we understand autism, hinting at the potential for a more inclusive perspective on neurodiversity.
"feel the French person is very foreign from me. And there's something about America they might find strange or repellent. And I'm just so used to it. I see intellectually how many areas we fall f..."
Cowen addresses the perceived lack of influence that the tech industry has in Washington D.C. He argues that, contrary to popular belief, tech is gaining influence through national security concerns. Cowen compares the tech industry's political clout to that of community bankers, highlighting the unique challenges tech faces in navigating political landscapes and the importance of understanding these dynamics.
"One frustration that tech people have is that they have very little influence, it seems, in Washington compared to how big that industry is. Industries that are much smaller will have much great..."
In this concluding segment, Cowen expresses his concerns about the relationship between technological progress and the potential for war. He reflects on historical patterns where advancements have led to conflict and warns of the destructive potential of future technologies. Despite these concerns, he ends on a hopeful note, emphasizing human agency and the importance of leveraging our heritage for positive outcomes.
"You all here are so far from that, in part because you're dynamic and you're clustered. Final question. Based on yesterday's session, it seems like Patrick's main misgiving with progress is that ..."