 | This articlemay rely excessively on sourcestoo closely associated with the subject, potentially preventing the article from beingverifiable andneutral. Please helpimprove it by replacing them with more appropriatecitations toreliable, independent sources.(October 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Differential technological development is a strategy of technology governance aiming to decrease risks fromemerging technologies by influencing the sequence in which they are developed. Using this strategy, societies would strive to delay the development of harmful technologies and their applications while accelerating the development of beneficial technologies, especially those that offer protection against harmful technologies.[1][2]
Differential technological development was initially proposed by philosopherNick Bostrom in 2002[1] and he applied the idea to the governance of artificial intelligence in his 2014 bookSuperintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies.[3] The strategy was also endorsed by philosopherToby Ord in his 2020 bookThe Precipice: Existential Risk and the Future of Humanity, who writes that "While it may be too difficult to prevent the development of a risky technology, we may be able to reduceexistential risk by speeding up the development of protective technologies relative to dangerous ones."[2][4]
Paul Christiano believes that while accelerating technological progress appears to be one of the best ways to improve human welfare in the next few decades, a faster rate of growth cannot be equally important for the far future because growth must eventually saturate due to physical limits. Hence, from the perspective of the far future, differential technological development appears more crucial.[5]
Inspired by Bostrom's proposal,Luke Muehlhauser andAnna Salamon suggested a more general project of "differential intellectual progress", in which society advances its wisdom, philosophical sophistication, and understanding of risks faster than its technological power.[6][7] Brian Tomasik has expanded on this notion.[8]
 | This technology-related article is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |
 | This article aboutfutures studies is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |
