AGI·LEDGER
The Ledger
@Nick Bostrom · 2026-06-27Independent

Solve the control problem before, not after, superintelligence

What form?
Other
How built?
Other
Made of?
Doesn't matter
What for?
Other
Who controls?
Locked down
When?
Unstated
P(catastrophe)

My take

A superintelligence could be the last invention humanity ever needs to make — or our last invention, full stop. The decisive issue is the control problem: ensuring a system far beyond us reliably pursues beneficial ends. We must solve it before we cross the threshold.

Why

A capable optimizer with a subtly mis-specified goal could be catastrophic and irreversible. First-mover and competitive dynamics push developers to cut corners, so foresight, careful design, and coordination matter enormously.

What would change my mind

A robust, demonstrated solution to the control and alignment problem at superhuman scale.

Summarized from public statements · source ↗
#sourced#control-problem#existential-risk