MIRI Newsletter #125

2026-03-19 · Source: Machine Intelligence Research Institute · Field: Technology & Digital — Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, AI Ethics & Governance · Depth: Novice, medium

Summary

A new documentary, "The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist," is set for release on Thursday, March 26th, with tickets currently available. The film, an official Sundance and SXSW selection, explores AI risks through director Daniel Roher's personal journey as he and his wife prepare for a new baby, featuring voices like MIRI's Eliezer Yudkowsky and produced by Daniel Kwan. The community is encouraged to maximize opening-weekend success by purchasing tickets and organizing viewing parties to increase the film's exposure and potential for international releases. Additionally, the book "If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies" is now available in Spanish, Italian, and Bulgarian, with Dutch, Brazilian Portuguese, and Japanese editions expected soon, aiming for global reach to foster international coordination on AI policy. Other updates include a protest in San Francisco against frontier AI R&D, MIRI staff briefing Senator Bernie Sanders, and new legislative efforts by Rep. Brad Sherman to ensure AI controllability.

Key takeaway

For policymakers and the general public concerned about AI risks, engaging with new media like "The AI Doc" and "If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies" is a direct way to build political will and foster international coordination. Your participation in promoting these resources, such as buying movie tickets for opening weekend or sharing translated books, directly contributes to mainstreaming critical discussions on AI safety and governance, potentially influencing legislative action and global agreements.

Key insights

Community engagement is crucial for amplifying public awareness and political will regarding AI risks through media.

Principles

• Early box office success drives broader film distribution.
• Translated works expand global policy influence.

Method

Maximize opening-weekend film success by buying tickets and encouraging others to attend, or by hosting viewing parties.

In practice

• Buy tickets for "The AI Doc" for March 26th.
• Promote "If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies" translations.

Topics

• AI Risk
• AI Safety
• AI Governance
• International AI Policy
• AI Public Awareness

Best for: Policy Maker, General Interest, AI Ethicist

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Machine Intelligence Research Institute.