Actor and UN advocate Joseph Gordon-Levitt discussed his concerns regarding the development of artificial intelligence in a recent video interview.

Actor and director Joseph Gordon-Levitt, currently serving as the United Nations’ global advocate of human-centric digital governance, has expressed concerns about the societal impact of artificial intelligence. In a video interview with The New York Times, he warned that AI models are being designed to influence human intimacy and empathy. Gordon-Levitt emphasized that the public should focus on the motivations of the companies building these technologies rather than fearing the technology itself.

Concerns Regarding Democracy and AI

Gordon-Levitt argued that the primary risks associated with AI involve the potential decline of democracy and human empathy. He suggested that companies developing these tools are operating with the goal of dominating the economy, which he described as a form of totalitarianism. He urged the public to remain engaged rather than becoming apathetic while businesses design the future primarily for profit.

Advocacy and Public Engagement

Appointed to his UN role in March to help strengthen public understanding of digital technologies, Gordon-Levitt noted that he views his work as a form of communication. When asked why the public should listen to an actor on the subject of AI, he suggested that people should instead consult experts like Stuart Russell and Yoshua Bengio. He also highlighted his history of advocacy, including his participation in an anti-AI campaign in January alongside hundreds of other artists and creators.