#11 Allison Duettmann: Predicting progress, interdisciplinarity, and the biggest risks for humanity
Oct 19, 2023
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Allison Duettmann, president and CEO of Foresight Insitute, talks about predicting progress, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the biggest risks facing humanity. They discuss the challenges of mapping out tech trees, the significance of AI in biotechnology and nanotechnology, and their favorite books and interests, including personalized longevity techniques and roller dancing.
Foresight Institute was founded to foster advancements in material science, cleaner energy, and space exploration through interdisciplinary collaboration.
Accurately predicting technological progress is challenging, raising questions about our forecasting capabilities and limitations.
Interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial for addressing complex issues and making progress in various fields, despite the challenges researchers face in collaborating across disciplines.
Deep dives
The History and Purpose of Forsight Institute
Allison Duttman discusses the origins of Forsight Institute, which was founded in 1987 with a focus on the long-term potential of molecular nanotechnology and AI. The organization aimed to foster advancements in material science, cleaner energy, and space exploration. The interdisciplinary approach allowed researchers to explore ambitious and human-aligned solutions for a better future.
The Challenges of Predicting Technological Development
The podcast explores the difficulties in accurately predicting technological progress. It questions whether our failure to meet predictions is due to incorrect forecasting or our limitations in reaching those goals. The discussion also delves into the drivers of significant progress and the opportunities presented by interdisciplinary collaboration to address humanity's biggest problems.
The Importance of Interdisciplinary Collaboration
The podcast emphasizes the significance of interdisciplinary collaboration to address complex issues and make progress in various fields. It highlights the challenges researchers face when attempting to collaborate across disciplines but also showcases the value of connecting the dots between different areas of knowledge and allowing for innovative solutions at the intersections.
Identifying Focus Areas and Overcoming Hurdles
Allison discusses the process of selecting focus areas within Forsight Institute, such as molecular nanotechnology, longevity, neurotechnology, and intelligent corporations. She acknowledges the challenges of attracting funding and the need to incentivize researchers to tackle long-term goals. The podcast also raises the issue of overcoming hurdles in technological progress, such as funding gaps, academic constraints, and a lack of awareness and support for ambitious projects.
The Fast Progress of AI and Technological Opportunities
The podcast acknowledges the fast progress of AI and highlights its potential impact across various scientific fields. It emphasizes the opportunities presented by AI in advancing biotechnology, nanotechnology, neuroscience, and space exploration. The discussion also touches on the need for responsible AI development and the importance of addressing associated risks, including concerns about cybersecurity and bioweapons.
Allison Duettmann is the president and CEO of Foresight Insitute, a non-profit that’s focused on the beneficial development of high-impact technologies.
In this episode, Allison tells us about the history behind Foresight, and why it was started in the first place.
Then we talk about predicting progress: Is that even possible? Are we making enough progress? Too much? And what drives progress, anyways?
We also cover the opportunities of interdisciplinary collaboration to solve humanity’s biggest problems – and the difficulties that researchers encounter when attempting this.
Allison also tells us her personal opinion on what the biggest opportunities and risks that are facing humanity are.