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EconTalk

Living with Exponential Change (with Azeem Azhar)

Mar 11, 2024
Azeem Azhar, an author and technologist, dives into the whirlwind of technological evolution that defines our era. He discusses the rapid adoption of platforms like TikTok and AI tools like ChatGPT, examining what drives this pace. The conversation covers the solar revolution and its implications for reducing fossil fuel reliance, alongside the historical context of technological growth laws. Azhar also reflects on how these changes affect human connection, questioning how society can adapt while preserving our humanity amid exponential change.
01:14:10

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Quick takeaways

  • Exponential technologies lead to rapid cost decreases and increased adoption rates in various fields.
  • Moore's Law and Wright's Law predict performance improvements and cost declines in tech industries.

Deep dives

The Impact of Exponential Technologies

Exponential technologies like the improvement in lithium-ion batteries and solar panels showcase a rapid decrease in costs, leading to increased deployment rates in economies. This trend, seen across various technologies, signifies an age of rapid technological advancement. Platforms like TikTok and processes like chat GPT exemplify the accelerated adoption rate of digital technologies, driven by societal willingness to engage with the novel and the incrementally new.

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