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AI: The New Nuclear Option episode artwork

Nov 4, 2025 55 min

AI: The New Nuclear Option

from The Lincoln Project Hosted by The Lincoln Project

Rick Wilson sits down with Nate Soares — executive director of the Machine Intelligence Research Institute and co-author (with Eliezer Yudkowsky) of the New York Times bestseller IF ANYONE BUILDS IT, EVERYONE DIES — for a brutally funny, deeply unnerving tour of how humanity might code itself into extinction. Together, they shred the techno-utopian hype and lay bare the reality of Artificial General Intelligence: machines that learn faster than their makers, billionaires racing to build digital gods, and governments regulating it like it’s a new brand of toaster. Rick brings his trademark fire, skewering the Silicon Valley messiahs who think “alignment” is just a yoga pose, while Nate breaks down how emergent behavior, greed, and hubris could make “innovation” our final act. Buckle up — it’s the smartest, darkest conversation you’ll ever laugh through. • • • • • You can find Nate Soares @So8res on X, and check out ifanyonebuildsit.com for information on his new book. Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln. To get simple, online access to personalized, affordable care for ED, Hair Loss, Weight Loss, and more, visit Hims.com/LincolnProject for your free online visit.

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AI: The New Nuclear Option

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This episode was published on November 4, 2025.

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