Babbo uses the Golem of Prague as a metaphor for AI—a powerful servant that can break free from its creator's control?

Babbo uses the Golem of Prague as a metaphor for AI—a powerful servant that can break free from its creator's control.

The 'two falls theodicy' explains how a single angel's choice creates irreversible natural evil, analogous to a single AI alignment failure?

The 'two falls theodicy' explains how a single angel's choice creates irreversible natural evil, analogous to a single AI alignment failure.

The essay argues that small changes in AI starting states (e.g., embeddings) can produce catastrophic, long-lasting consequences.

AI Safety

LessWrong AI June 26, 2026

⚡A philosophical deep-dive using theodicy to warn about AI's irreversible impact

Deep Dive

Joseph Babbo's essay 'Intelligence (Artificial) in a Fallen World' uses the Golem legend and the '

Key Points

Babbo uses the Golem of Prague as a metaphor for AI—a powerful servant that can break free from its creator's control.
The 'two falls theodicy' explains how a single angel's choice creates irreversible natural evil, analogous to a single AI alignment failure.
The essay argues that small changes in AI starting states (e.g., embeddings) can produce catastrophic, long-lasting consequences.

Offers a philosophical framework for understanding AI risk as a permanent, irreversible consequence of early design decisions.