Money Stuff: The Podcast · Friday, September 18, 2026
The discussion explores the motivations behind AI researchers' work, questioning whether their genuine fear of AI-induced existential risk or the substantial financial compensation is the primary driver. Matt Levine jokes that the belief that their work could 'kill everyone on Earth' might be a peculiar motivator.
“And I have joked that one way it works is that because the AI researchers believe that their product will kill everyone on Earth, that is somehow motivating.”
“I see. So it's not the money?”
“It's the singularity.”