Atoms are not conscious either. That does not settle whether organized atoms are. https://t.co/02qw24wChQ

Atoms are not conscious either. That does not settle whether organized atoms are. https://t.co/02qw24wChQ

— Will Bermender (@WillBermender) Sep 25, 2026

from Will Bermender on Twitter

September 24, 2026 at 08:32PM

Popcorn Game, released by Marx Toys in 1976, was one of my favorite childhood games. There was nothing like the chaotic rattle-clack sound of those plastic balls hitting the dome. Such a classic piece of 1970s toy engineering; simple, but surprisingly competitive. I recently restored a broken one I bought off eBay to play with my kids. Can’t wait for game night!

Popcorn Game, released by Marx Toys in 1976, was one of my favorite childhood games. There was nothing like the chaotic rattle-clack sound of those plastic balls hitting the dome. Such a classic piece of 1970s toy engineering; simple, but surprisingly competitive. I recently restored a broken one I bought off eBay to play with my kids. Can’t wait for game night!

— Will Bermender (@WillBermender) Sep 21, 2026

from Will Bermender on Twitter

September 21, 2026 at 12:12PM

The biggest risk of AI is

The biggest risk of AI is

— Will Bermender (@WillBermender) Sep 18, 2026

from Will Bermender on Twitter

September 18, 2026 at 04:18PM

I’ve been following AI development for 40 years, since discovering ELIZA in high school, and invested in and implemented machine learning for 15. From my vantage point, an uncontrolled or misaligned superintelligence escaping human oversight is a real risk. But I think the classic “AI takeover” story still requires capabilities we just haven’t demonstrated. Sustained autonomous agency, the ability to evade oversight and preserve access, and capability growth that outruns our ability to maintain effective control are some of the precursors to that apocalyptic vision. Those aren't Hollywood props. They also aren't here yet, at least not at an effective level. And that's where serious people split. Some of the researchers closest to frontier models think we're closer than the public debate admits. Others think scaling current methods will plateau short of that. Who’s right? I don’t know. What I do know is that the probability is not zero, and that “not zero” on this class of outcome is already an investment and policy problem. The scenario I treat as the base case is not some conscious mind rebelling. It’s general-purpose models deployed in increasingly autonomous, task-specific systems producing cascading cyber-physical damage. Think force multipliers for human actors, or agents whose failures propagate through interconnected infrastructure. That mess can look like collapse without anyone building a god. If a true loss-of-control event happens, I expect it to arrive through that channel first: agents, tools, networks, access and incentives. Not Skynet. And, in my second career as a screenwriter, I know a little about movie villains, too.

I’ve been following AI development for 40 years, since discovering ELIZA in high school, and invested in and implemented machine learning for 15. From my vantage point, an uncontrolled or misaligned superintelligence escaping human oversight is a real risk. But I think the classic “AI takeover” story still requires capabilities we just haven’t demonstrated. Sustained autonomous agency, the ability to evade oversight and preserve access, and capability growth that outruns our ability to maintain effective control are some of the precursors to that apocalyptic vision. Those aren't Hollywood props. They also aren't here yet, at least not at an effective level. And that's where serious people split. Some of the researchers closest to frontier models think we're closer than the public debate admits. Others think scaling current methods will plateau short of that. Who’s right? I don’t know. What I do know is that the probability is not zero, and that “not zero” on this class of outcome is already an investment and policy problem. The scenario I treat as the base case is not some conscious mind rebelling. It’s general-purpose models deployed in increasingly autonomous, task-specific systems producing cascading cyber-physical damage. Think force multipliers for human actors, or agents whose failures propagate through interconnected infrastructure. That mess can look like collapse without anyone building a god. If a true loss-of-control event happens, I expect it to arrive through that channel first: agents, tools, networks, access and incentives. Not Skynet. And, in my second career as a screenwriter, I know a little about movie villains, too.

— Will Bermender (@WillBermender) Sep 14, 2026

from Will Bermender on Twitter

September 14, 2026 at 09:41AM

Every September 11th, I avoid the news. It’s been 25 years and my memories are still vivid; I don’t need to relive them. But one third of Americans alive today were born after 9/11 — or were too young to have any personal memory of what happened that day. For them, recounting 9/11 serves as a reminder that there are heroes among us and that Americans can set aside our differences and unite.

Every September 11th, I avoid the news. It’s been 25 years and my memories are still vivid; I don’t need to relive them. But one third of Americans alive today were born after 9/11 — or were too young to have any personal memory of what happened that day. For them, recounting 9/11 serves as a reminder that there are heroes among us and that Americans can set aside our differences and unite.

— Will Bermender (@WillBermender) Sep 11, 2026

from Will Bermender on Twitter

September 11, 2026 at 06:45AM

If you believe dangerous AI development is inevitable, then talented safety researchers may be most valuable inside the organizations building it. 🤷‍♂️ https://t.co/POby7r8iAW

If you believe dangerous AI development is inevitable, then talented safety researchers may be most valuable inside the organizations building it. 🤷‍♂️ https://t.co/POby7r8iAW

— Will Bermender (@WillBermender) Sep 9, 2026

from Will Bermender on Twitter

September 9, 2026 at 05:10PM

The theft itself is damaging to Netflix, but the bigger reputational problem is the perception that the company then responded by arguing about encryption, causation, and damages rather than saying “You entrusted us with your film, it disappeared from our premises, and we're going to make this right.” 🤷‍♂️

The theft itself is damaging to Netflix, but the bigger reputational problem is the perception that the company then responded by arguing about encryption, causation, and damages rather than saying “You entrusted us with your film, it disappeared from our premises, and we're going to make this right.” 🤷‍♂️

— Will Bermender (@WillBermender) Sep 1, 2026

from Will Bermender on Twitter

September 1, 2026 at 01:50PM

The view of Millennium Park and Lake Michigan from Cindy’s Rooftop in downtown Chicago is spectacular. https://t.co/vpIip3ortk

The view of Millennium Park and Lake Michigan from Cindy’s Rooftop in downtown Chicago is spectacular. https://t.co/vpIip3ortk

— Will Bermender (@WillBermender) Aug 31, 2026

from Will Bermender on Twitter

August 31, 2026 at 11:45AM

Don't dream it, be it. https://t.co/3w58zJvcct

Don't dream it, be it. https://t.co/3w58zJvcct

— Will Bermender (@WillBermender) Aug 27, 2026

from Will Bermender on Twitter

August 27, 2026 at 09:19AM

The human brain is 80% water? Explains why my thoughts often evaporate... https://t.co/It5M5TQuKK

The human brain is 80% water? Explains why my thoughts often evaporate... https://t.co/It5M5TQuKK

— Will Bermender (@WillBermender) Aug 25, 2026

from Will Bermender on Twitter

August 24, 2026 at 08:14PM

As sad as this is to hear, I thought Columbia House went out of business 20 years ago. And that’s the problem… https://t.co/Hib4A8JvKU

As sad as this is to hear, I thought Columbia House went out of business 20 years ago. And that’s the problem… https://t.co/Hib4A8JvKU

— Will Bermender (@WillBermender) Aug 19, 2026

from Will Bermender on Twitter

August 19, 2026 at 09:07AM

1986: Please wait 4-6 weeks for delivery. 2026: What do you mean I have to wait until tomorrow?! https://t.co/oACRwKJjAr

1986: Please wait 4-6 weeks for delivery. 2026: What do you mean I have to wait until tomorrow?! https://t.co/oACRwKJjAr

— Will Bermender (@WillBermender) Aug 12, 2026

from Will Bermender on Twitter

August 12, 2026 at 12:10PM

With Hollywood’s sequels, prequels, spin-offs, remakes, reboots, and reimaginings, how was a Die Hard/Pee-wee Herman movie never made? 🤯 https://t.co/XZ46dSLxhN

With Hollywood’s sequels, prequels, spin-offs, remakes, reboots, and reimaginings, how was a Die Hard/Pee-wee Herman movie never made? 🤯 https://t.co/XZ46dSLxhN

— Will Bermender (@WillBermender) Aug 7, 2026

from Will Bermender on Twitter

August 7, 2026 at 01:48PM

Evidence the earth is flat: maps are flat. 🤔 https://t.co/7gPY1HkKnw

Evidence the earth is flat: maps are flat. 🤔 https://t.co/7gPY1HkKnw

— Will Bermender (@WillBermender) Aug 3, 2026

from Will Bermender on Twitter

August 3, 2026 at 08:43AM

While I wouldn’t call this “news,” two months after his death, Broadhurst‘s career and mastery of his craft were truly impressive. He understood storytelling from every angle: actor, playwright, screenwriter, and even painter. Broadhurst‘s career is a reminder that great https://t.co/k88wmYryVv

While I wouldn’t call this “news,” two months after his death, Broadhurst‘s career and mastery of his craft were truly impressive. He understood storytelling from every angle: actor, playwright, screenwriter, and even painter. Broadhurst‘s career is a reminder that great https://t.co/k88wmYryVv

— Will Bermender (@WillBermender) Jul 29, 2026

from Will Bermender on Twitter

July 29, 2026 at 02:35PM

My Vegas dream: The UNO! Hotel & Casino. 😃 https://t.co/oVNhvOlRmk

My Vegas dream: The UNO! Hotel & Casino. 😃 https://t.co/oVNhvOlRmk

— Will Bermender (@WillBermender) Jul 27, 2026

from Will Bermender on Twitter

July 27, 2026 at 09:25AM

De Niro and Pesci were stellar in CASINO. I didn’t think the movie could be any better, but Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck proved me wrong... https://t.co/CCK2bfh3NF

De Niro and Pesci were stellar in CASINO. I didn’t think the movie could be any better, but Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck proved me wrong... https://t.co/CCK2bfh3NF

— Will Bermender (@WillBermender) Jul 24, 2026

from Will Bermender on Twitter

July 24, 2026 at 10:17AM

Released today, 38 years ago, Die Hard is one of those rare movies that somehow gets better with age. Nearly four decades later, it’s endlessly rewatchable and has even become a Christmas tradition. As an action screenwriter, what fascinates me most is how close Die Hard came to https://t.co/vzPRPeUZRe

Released today, 38 years ago, Die Hard is one of those rare movies that somehow gets better with age. Nearly four decades later, it’s endlessly rewatchable and has even become a Christmas tradition. As an action screenwriter, what fascinates me most is how close Die Hard came to https://t.co/vzPRPeUZRe

— Will Bermender (@WillBermender) Jul 15, 2026

from Will Bermender on Twitter

July 15, 2026 at 07:07AM

☹️ https://t.co/btvh7joQvx

☹️ https://t.co/btvh7joQvx

— Will Bermender (@WillBermender) Jul 14, 2026

from Will Bermender on Twitter

July 14, 2026 at 08:52AM

Nearly 80 years ago, Sinatra told a group of kids that hate is taught and can be unlearned. The House I Live In feels painfully current. https://t.co/RQWSims4tJ

Nearly 80 years ago, Sinatra told a group of kids that hate is taught and can be unlearned. The House I Live In feels painfully current. https://t.co/RQWSims4tJ

— Will Bermender (@WillBermender) Jul 10, 2026

from Will Bermender on Twitter

July 10, 2026 at 09:27AM