Anthropic’s ceo predicts ai could double human lifespans in a decade

This week, the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, has become a hotspot for discussions about artificial intelligence (AI). As major tech companies bet their futures on generative AI, the atmosphere has shifted from excitement to a hint of desperation regarding the incredible claims made about AI’s potential. One of the most striking assertions came from Dario Amoedi, CEO of the AI company Anthropic, who controversially predicted that AI could double human lifespans in the next five to ten years.

Amoedi made his bold claim during a panel discussion titled “Technology in the World.” Moderated in a way that highlighted the optimism of the predictions, the panel featured debates over the drastically transformative potential of AI technologies. Amoedi stated, “It is my guess that by 2026 or 2027, we will have AI systems that are broadly better than almost all humans at almost all things.” This assertion reflects a strong belief in the positive potential of artificial intelligence across various sectors, including military applications, workplace technology, self-driving vehicles, and advancements in biology and health.

The implications of these advancements resonate significantly with humans’ hopes for longevity. Amoedi elaborated, “If I had to guess… we can make 100 years of progress in areas like biology in five or ten years if we really get this AI stuff right.” His radical vision suggests that the healthcare advancements powered by AI could pave the way for dramatically extended lifespans. He went on to argue that doubling the human lifespan is not an unrealistic goal, indicating a belief that such progress could be achieved within a decade.

However, how realistic is Amoedi’s prediction? His preface that “this is not a very exact science” already raises red flags about the credibility of such a forecast. The current statistics paint a starkly different picture. Research shows that only around 3.1% of women and 1.3% of men born in 2019 are expected to live to 100. In effect, suggesting that people today could average lifespans of 160 years seems far-fetched when one considers historical data on human longevity.

Stuart Jay Olshansky, a renowned professor from the School of Public Health at the University of Illinois at Chicago, shared his perspective on this topic. Earlier this year, he highlighted the potential exaggerations in claims regarding technological capabilities to significantly extend human life. He expressed concerns over the narrative emerging from the tech industry that radical life extension is just around the corner, stating, “There’s a lot of money being invested in this right now. There’s a lot of good science going on. There’s also a lot of embellishments and exaggeration.” Olshansky cautioned investors and the general public against being seduced by these extravagant promises.

Despite technology’s contribution to increases in life expectancy over the past century, experts argue there are limits to how much more it can extend life. Wealthy entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts may chase immortality intensely, but their pursuits can sometimes lead to unrealistic expectations. High-profile figures, such as Peter Thiel and Bryan Johnson, actively seek ways to delay the inevitable effects of aging with all the resources at their disposal. Such obsessions can push individuals to make outlandish claims that straddle the line between innovative exploration and folly. Although AI has achieved impressive feats in recent years, including advances in generating videos and other content, the notion of fundamentally altering human lifespan remains in question.

While the potential of AI is undeniably vast and continues to evolve, the prospect of it doubling human life expectancy remains a contentious issue. Many in the scientific community are eager to see how technological innovations might influence our daily lives, and there’s no denying that AI has the capacity to make meaningful advancements in various sectors. However, when it comes to doubling human lifespans in a decade, skepticism reigns. For now, the scientific community urges caution, awaiting actual results before believing in the extraordinary claims made at forums like Davos. Instead of radical visions, it seems prudent to focus on realistic advancements in health and well-being that technology can feasibly accomplish in the near future.