#23 - Christian Angermayer - AI, Longevity & How To Re-Design Humanity For The Future?

We're joined by tech billionaire and investor Christian Angermayer to discuss the 'Next Human Agenda,' i.e., the technological bets he's taking and how they will shape the future of humanity (in terms of computing, health, society, and governments).

Over the past 20 years, Christian has been involved in directly building a lot of unicorns and decacorns and has been involved in more than 50 IPOs or exits in the public stock market. Christian is an active thought leader himself, and is affiliated with the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader.

He's a partner of the Munich security conference and advisor to President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, and also a founding member of President Macron's scale-up Europe initiative.

Christian's family office, Apeiron Investment Group, has more than 3 billion US dollars of assets under management and invests across life sciences, fintech, crypto, future tech, experience, hospitality, and happiness. He runs the Angermayer policy initiative and innovation forum, which convenes international heads of State, investors, politicians, and scientists to come together to discuss global priorities.

Christian is also passionate about mental health and runs the Aurora Institute, which is the first nonprofit incubator of its kind focused on funding the world's leading individuals and NGOs related to solving the global mental health crisis. 

We cover a wide array of topics:

-The Rise of AI and the Future of Society: What will society look like with full AI/AGI adoption, and how can we prepare for it?

-Revolutionizing Biotech and Psychedelics: Gain insights into the ground-breaking developments in biotech and psychedelics, exploring their potential to revolutionize healthcare and mental health treatment.

-The Middle Eastern Innovation Landscape: Christian shares insights into the burgeoning tech scene in the Middle East, particularly in countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, where governments are fostering environments conducive to technological advancement and biotech innovation.

-⁠Geopolitical Realities and Multipolarity: Reflecting on the evolving geopolitical landscape, Christian discusses the strategic maneuvers of emerging powers like China and Russia, as well as the savvy diplomacy of smaller nations seeking to navigate the complexities of a multipolar world.

-Brexit and the Future of Europe: Offering astute observations on Brexit and its implications for the UK and Europe, Christian explores the missed opportunities and potential pitfalls in Britain's departure from the European Union while also reflecting on the broader trajectory of the European project.

-Harnessing Innovation for Global Challenges: Christian emphasizes the transformative potential of technological innovation in addressing pressing global challenges, from climate change to economic development, underscoring the importance of agile governance and strategic investment in fostering sustainable solutions.

Join us for an illuminating discussion as we explore the dynamics of technological disruption, geopolitical strategy, and the imperative of innovation in shaping the future of our interconnected world.

Follow our host, Waheed Nabeel (@iwaheedo), for more updates on tech, civilizational growth, progress studies, and emerging markets.

Here are the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players, you should be able to click the timestamp for the episode.

(00:00) - Intro

(03:20) - What's the vision Christian has of the world 100 years from now?

(11:06) - Does the unprecedented speed of technological advancement today, exemplified by OpenAI's rapid user growth, amplify the risk of social dislocation during these transitions, given historical trends of slower adoption?

(14:08) - Can AI be perceived as both a catalyst for economic growth and a potential threat to traditional employment, considering its capacity to exponentially increase productivity and revenue, thereby prompting a discussion on the balance between efficiency and human labor?

(17:50) - What actionable steps are recommended for individuals who may not be deeply engaged in tech discussions to prepare for the impact of AI and automation on their professions over the next decade, and what role should governments play in facilitating this transition?

(22:39) - Use of Psychedelics for mental health problems

(39:31) - What is the 'Next Human Agenda'?

(47:47) - What breakthroughs can we expect in longevity research funding, and can we foresee substantial increases in human lifespan in the near future?

(52:25) - How does the concept of biological age influence Christian's research, especially in relation to the lifestyles of centenarians in blue zones, and what implications does this have for longevity strategies?

(56:51) - In the face of rapid technological disruption, what role do governments in the 21st century play?

(60:22) - How can we address the short-term focus of politicians, especially in democracies, to ensure effective long-term planning for the future?

(64:24) - How can we manage increasing debt in Western countries amidst the challenge of implementing unpopular but crucial policies for long-term fiscal stability?

(67:27) -  Less government intervention, like libertarians versus more regulation, as seen in Europe's approach to innovation?

(69:00) - Do you think pharmaceutical innovation has been slowed by regulation compared to the faster progress seen in less regulated fields like computer science?

(74:13) - Are there any government models you've encountered that effectively balance stability with the disruptive nature of technology, ensuring stable infrastructure alongside technological progress?

(77:26) - Do you support the idea of city-states as a governance model reminiscent of the early United States, where states held significant governance roles, and do you see the potential for a revival of this approach?

(81:12) - How can governments adopt lean methodologies for faster decision-making?

(83:05) - Is there a burgeoning innovation hub in the Middle East, separate from Europe and the US, particularly considering your operations in emerging market countries like the UAE and Rwanda?

(85:18) - Does Christian see a move towards a multipolar world, with rising powers like China and Russia challenging US dominance, and how do you view the strategic actions of smaller nations navigating this shift?

(87:10) - What are Christian's thoughts on the trajectory of the European project, especially with the UK's exit from the EU and the challenges it poses, such as demographic aging and its impact on the tech landscape?

(90:28) - What fuels Christian's optimism amidst the prevailing dystopian views, leading you to believe that technology and innovation will be our salvation rather than our downfall?