Episode
We Debated the Future of AI Safety in Brussels — Here's What Happened
- Published
- Mar 15, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 6058
- Processing state
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- https://theairisknetwork.substack.com/p/fhp-81
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Summary
In this episode of For Humanity, John travels to Brussels, Belgium for PauseCon — the global gathering of Pause AI volunteers and advocates — joined by board member and author Louis Berman and filmmaker Beau Kershaw. The goal: train activists to be more effective in the fight against AI risk. What unfolded was one of the most honest conversations in the AI safety movement about why, despite 80% public support, almost nobody is actually showing up. John didn’t pull punches. Nothing is working. Not fast enough. Not at the scale we need. But the energy is out there — and this episode is about where to find it and how to channel it. The centerpiece is a live debate between John and Max Winga of Control AI on one of the most divisive strategic questions in the movement: Should we talk about extinction risk directly — or meet people where they are with the harms happening right now? Together, they explore: * Why 80% public support hasn’t translated into mass mobilization * The case for leading with existential risk vs. “mundane” AI harms * Data centers, community opposition, and financial pain as a strategy * Why John believes laws and treaties alone won’t save us * The winning state: making unsafe AI bad for business * What’s actually moving the needle in the US right now * How to talk to someone about AI risk without losing them * The “yes and” approach vs. the AI safety world’s love of “no but” If you've ever wondered why the AI safety movement struggles to break through despite overwhelming public agreement — this episode is required viewing. 📺 Subscribe to The AI Risk Network for weekly conversations on how we can confront the AI extinction threat. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theai…