The PDB Situation Report | October 3rd, 2026: Neil deGrasse Tyson: Are We Ready for What AI Becomes Next?

Mike Baker (0:07)

Welcome to The PDB Situation Report, I'm Mike Baker, your eyes and ears on the world stage. All right, let's get briefed. First up, artificial intelligence, perhaps you've heard of it. Some people are calling it super intelligence, I hear, is advancing at a remarkable pace, raising big questions about where the technology is headed.

Now, Neil deGrasse Tyson, perhaps you heard of him, joins us to discuss the future of AI and whether we're prepared for what comes next, whatever that may be. Later in the show, the final US troops have now left Iraq, closing another chapter in America's long military presence there. Bill Roggio, of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins us to discuss what the withdrawal means for Iraq, Iran, and the wider region. But first, today's Situation Report Spotlight.

Artificial intelligence is advancing at a pace that has governments, scientists, and technology leaders asking an increasingly urgent question. Who sets the rules and can we control it? That's actually two questions. The debate is no longer just about what AI can do.

It's about how much oversight is needed. Who should be responsible when these systems cause harm, and whether governments can keep up with the technology that's changing faster than the laws meant to govern it. Some are calling for stronger international standards and greater transparency. Others warn that aggressive regulation could slow innovation and possibly leave the US behind. Joining me now is renowned astrophysicist, and that's the first time I've used the word renowned on the Situation Report, Neil deGrasse Tyson. Now, he's the director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History, and quite frankly, so much more. He's also author of the book, Take Me to Your Leader, Perspectives on Your First Alien Encounter, which contrary to the title is not dating advice. So, Neil, I want to say thank you very much for joining us here on the PDB Situation Report. It's a real honor, man.

Neil deGrasse Tyson (2:07)

Well, if you want to date an alien, you could count it as dating advice, I think.

Mike Baker (2:12)

That's true, you know?

So, I was fascinated about this idea of when, because I'm always interested in when people have their first inkling of what they want to do with their lives. I have heard that you were a very young individual when you sort of latched on to your path in life. Can you tell me just, I want to get this, we got so much to cover, but I'm really fascinated by that.

Neil deGrasse Tyson (2:43)

Yeah, in fact, my interest in the universe began at age nine at a first visit to my local planetarium. I grew up in New York City, so that would be the Hayden Planetarium, where I now serve as director.

There's a certain poignancy to that only because now when I see nine-year-old kids walk through the facility, there's a certain duty and obligation to ensure that they are as touched by the universe as was I, especially via the handiwork of scientists and educators back then, setting up programs.

Because any good museum will have things for you to do beyond just the exhibits themselves. Because once you pass through the exhibit, are you going to go through that again tomorrow? No, but there'll be a lecture series, there'll be telescope night, this sort of thing. So, it began at age 9 It would take me 2 years to figure out that you can make it a career. And so, from age 9 onward is that magic moment where I had an answer to that annoying question adults always ask kids, which is what? What is it?

Mike Baker (3:56)

Yeah, what do you want to be when you grow up?

Neil deGrasse Tyson (3:58)

Exactly, and I would say I want to be an astrophysicist. And that usually shut them up. Normally, if you say I want to be a doctor or lawyer, oh, Aunt Matilda is a lawyer, Uncle Joe is a doctor. Nobody knew any astrophysicist.

It's a pretty short...

Mike Baker (4:14)

To shut them up, I would always say I wanted to be a made man in the mafia.

Neil deGrasse Tyson (4:17)

Oh, okay.

Mike Baker (4:19)

That would keep them quiet. But I will say this, Neil, I grew up, I'm of a certain age. So when I was young, basically 9, we were doing the moon shots. We were landing on the moon. And I remember at 8 and 9, staying up late with my dad to watch the landing.

And so then I still have in my possession a piece of paper from that year when we were asked by the teacher, I want you to take one page and write about what you want to do when you grow up. And it's all about me wanting to be an astronaut. And then I quickly realized I was nowhere near intelligent enough to be an astronaut.