The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

OpenAI Whistleblower FINALLY Speaks: “AI Has A 70% Chance Of Going Horribly Wrong!“

Jul 13, 2026 · 2h 0m

Summary

Steven Bartlett interviews Daniel Kokotajlo, a former OpenAI researcher who resigned over safety concerns and refused a $2 million payout to avoid signing an anti-disparagement clause. Kokotajlo warns that AI companies are racing toward superintelligence by 2027, risking catastrophic loss of control or extreme power concentration. He argues that current alignment efforts are insufficient, urging public awareness of the existential threats posed by unchecked AI development.

Topics discussed

Introduction and Helix sponsorship AI risks, job displacement, and expert consensus Daniel Kokotajlo's background and OpenAI experience The OpenAI equity controversy and internal dynamics Publishing the AI 2027 forecast and rapid progress Defining superintelligence and neural net mechanics Anthropic's strategy and CEO incentives Job automation timelines and economic impact AI 2040 Plan A: A recommended safe path International regulation and the AI 2040 scenario Citizen's checks and societal transition Long-term future: Space expansion and civilization Personal reflections, closing thoughts, and sponsor
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