Azeem Azhar's Exponential View

Biotech is gathering pace: AI systems are simulating novel materials, new genomic technologies are enabling precision bioengineering, and automation is executing production on a massive scale. Softbank Vision Fund Senior Managing Partner, Deep Nishar tells Azeem Azhar why biotech is the next trillion-dollar market, and what breakthroughs to expect. In this episode they also discuss: Why emerging biotech and AI, together, would help control and stop coronavirus-like outbreaks in the future. What new materials and medicines are coming out of the “virtuous cycle” of research and funding that is now taking off. What the rest of the world should learn from China’s vigorous development of AI technologies. Further reading: “As Zymergen Buys EnEvolv, Biological Manufacturing Is Ready To Transform How Industry Makes Everything From Airplanes To Air Jordans” (Forbes, 2020) “AI just found a new type of antibiotics” (Vox, 2020) @deepnishar @azeem @exponentialview Exponential View newsletter

The world is facing an economic crisis never seen before, says equity analyst Pierre Ferragu. Consumer demand remains strong and supply infrastructure is still healthy, but both are in lockdown and unable to function. In this wide-ranging conversation with Azeem Azhar, Ferragu explains how the pandemic will affect the technology industry and its major players. They also discuss: How “partial insuring” and “China + n” strategies could make for more resilient supply chains. How the crisis is accelerating the next generation of technologies. The winners and the losers of the pandemic. Further reading: “Tesla has yet another biggest bull on Wall Street. Here’s why he thinks the stock could surge 57%. (TSLA)” (Markets Insider, 2020) “Tech Sectors and Stocks to Avoid in a Recession” (The Street, 2020) @p_ferragu @azeem @exponentialview Exponential View newsletter

The exponential growth of COVID-19 is threatening to bring down the world economy. To understand the pandemic, Azeem Azhar chats with professor Yaneer Bar-Yam, President of the New England Complex Systems Institute, who worked on the response to Ebola with pioneering complex-systems mathematics. In this conversation, they discuss: Why we need to crush, rather than flatten, the curve. What lessons the Ebola outbreak offers us for dealing with COVID-19. What complexity mathematics offers beyond traditional epidemiological modelling. Further reading: “A Better Way: Building Capacity, Adaptation and Resilience” (Exponential View, 2020) End Coronavirus: Map, Guidelines, Community (2020) “Coronavirus: The Hammer and the Dance” (Tomas Pueyo, 2020) “Transition to Extinction: Pandemics in a Connected World” (Yaneer Bar-Yam, 2016) @yaneerbaryam @azeem @exponentialview Exponential View newsletter Note: a previous version of this episode included an excerpted conversation with Dr. Adam Kucharski, author of “The Rules of Contagion: How Things Spread – and Why They Stop.” That excerpt has now been removed, and the full conversation with Dr. Kucharski can be found here: https://www.exponentialview.co/p/-modeling-the-pandemic.

Data monopolies and abuses of privacy are only some of the flaws of Web 2.0. Muneeb Ali, co-founder and CEO of Blockstack, tells Azeem Azhar how the emerging Web 3.0 solves these challenges and gives users more control over their digital existence. In this conversation, they discuss: Why property rights and privacy are intimately linked. The emergence of a novel app ecosystem on the new internet. The role of the new crypto economy in the transformation of the internet. Further reading: “Tech Thinks It Has a Fix for the Problem it Created: Blockchain” (The New York Times, 2018) “The Emergence of Web 3.0” (Hackernoon, 2019) “Can’t Be Evil vs. Don’t Be Evil” (Exponential View newsletter, 2020) “Beyond Digital Gold” (Exponential View newsletter, 2020) @muneeb @azeem @exponentialview Exponential View newsletter

Existing social institutions are not adequate to meet the challenges of the exponential age. Social entrepreneur and author, Hilary Cottam, proposes a radical overhaul of the welfare system. In discussion with Azeem Azhar, she also argues that we must reject the old economic model for humanity, Homo econonomicus (guided by ration to maximize economic gains), and embrace Sapiens integra, a new theoretical human with stronger connections to nature and other humans. In this conversation, they discuss: The New Industrialists and their role in the social revolution. How a switch from the mindset of efficiency to the mindset of care can transform our institutions. The role of new technologies in this transformation. Further reading: “Radical Help” (Hilary Cottam, 2019) “Revolution 5.0: A Social Manifesto” (Hilary Cottam, 2019) “The Future of Public Service and Governance” (Exponential View podcast, 2018) @HilaryCottam @azeem @exponentialview Exponential View newsletter

“People judge humans by their intentions, and machines by the outcome,” says physicist and author Cesar Hidalgo. He is one of the creators of the field of Complexity Economics. Hidalgo joins Azeem Azhar to explain how he applies this complexity approach to understanding how we judge decision-making in machines. They also discuss: What the Shenzhen electronics market reveals about the economics of megacities. How we unconsciously ascribe morality to machines, and what this implies for innovation. Algorithmic aversion and how it will influence the implementation of AI. Further reading: “A Bold Idea to Replace Politicians” (TED, 2018) “The Autonomous Economy” (Exponential View podcast, 2019) @cesifoti @azeem @exponentialview Exponential View newsletter

Airtable, valued at $1.1 billion, is carving out a new product category that could compete with cloud computing in value. The founder of Airtable, Howie Liu, joins Azeem Azhar to discuss what creating a new market category looks like in practice. They also discuss: How Airtable is democratizing software development. Why investors were initially skeptical, and how Howie got them on board. How Airtable treats its competition, including the tech giants. Further reading: “Move Slow and Make Things: Airtable’s Howie Liu Built A $1B Software Giant Emphasizing Substance Over Speed” (Forbes, 2018) “No-one understood our idea, but now it’s worth over $1bn“ ” (BBC, Nov. 4, 2019) “100 People Transforming Business“ ” (Business Insider, 2019) @howietl @azeem @exponentialview Exponential View newsletter

Some would argue that the world is more volatile today than it was during the Cold War, and technology is catalyzing a number of fundamental changes to the world order. Geopolitical expert Ian Bremmer joins Azeem Azhar to dissect the top risks for the decade ahead. They also discuss: How technology is influencing global decoupling. How the China-U.S. relationship will shape the world in the next decade. How we should think about global challenges in a multipolar world. Further reading: “Top Risks for 2020” (Eurasia Group, Jan. 6, 2020) “Preparing for 2030” (Exponential View, Jan. 5, 2020) “Predictions for 2030” (Talking Politics, January 2020) @ianbremmer @azeem @exponentialview Exponential View newsletter

Crisis management is not only about cleaning up after a disaster, but also about establishing a healthy company culture. Judy Smith, renowned crisis management expert, joins Azeem Azhar to explore why large tech companies seem to stumble into crises as they mature, and what every founder can do to avoid catastrophic reputation damage. They also discuss: Why corporate culture is the most important element of good reputation management. How to navigate a crisis while focusing on growth. How to communicate controversial issues to different stakeholders. Further reading: “Managing High-Stakes Situations: 5 Lessons from the Pentagon” (HBR, July, 2019) “‘Scandal’ Finale: Judy Smith, the Inspiration for Olivia Pope” (NPR, April, 2018) @JudySmith_ @azeem @exponentialview Exponential View newsletter

Microsoft’s president, Brad Smith, argues for multilateral cooperation across borders and sectors in order to advance the regulatory framework for technology companies. In this conversation, he joins Azeem Azhar to discuss: Why regulation is necessary to advance innovation. How to maintain greater purpose at a company’s core while scaling. Why employees organizing is a positive force in every company. The case against the facial recognition ban. Further reading: “Tools and Weapons: The Promise and Peril of the Digital Age” (Brad Smith, 2019) “The Real Reason Tech Companies Want Regulation” (Exponential View newsletter, Jan. 26, 2020) “Thinking About Innovation” (Exponential View newsletter, Dec. 28, 2019) “Tech Firms Need More Regulation” (The Atlantic, Sept. 9, 2019) @bradsmi @azeem @exponentialview Exponential View newsletter