Existential Hope Podcast: Hannah Ritchie | Climate Tech & How AI Can Help Solve Big Problems
The way we talk about the future of the planet often feels like a choice between denial and doomism. But what if we looked at the data? Hannah Ritchie, Deputy Editor at Our World in Data, has dedicated her work to making complex global challenges—like climate change, energy, and sustainability—more understandable and actionable. In this conversation with Beatrice Erkers, she shares insights from her book Not the End of the World, exploring what the data actually tells us about humanity’s progress, where technology—including AI—can help, and how we can build a future that is not just survivable, but sustainable and hopeful.This interview is a guest lecture in our new online course about shaping positive futures with AI. The course is free, and available here: https://www.udemy.com/course/worldbuilding-hopeful-futures-with-ai/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Existential Hope podcast | Worldbuilding for a Hopeful AI Future
In this special “minisode” of the Existential Hope podcast, Allison and Beatrice from Foresight Institute sit down to discuss their newly launched, free worldbuilding course on Udemy: The AI Futures Worldbuilding course. This course—created in partnership with the Future of Life Institute—helps participants imagine and shape positive visions for AI’s impact on technology, governance, economics, and everyday life.Hear about expert guest lectures from leaders like Anousheh Ansari (XPRIZE), Helen Toner (CSET), Hannah Ritchie (Our World in Data), Ada Palmer (University of Chicago), Anthony Aguirre (FLI), and more. If you’re curious how to chart a better future with AI, or simply need a dose of optimism, tune in for practical insights and inspiring ideas.• Take the course – Search for “Building Hopeful Futures with AI” on Udemy or visit existentialhope.com• Submit your vision – Share your optimistic vision for 2035 using the form at existentialhope.com, and explore submissions from others.• Spread the word – If you know someone who could use a hopeful perspective on our AI future, invite them to join this journey!Learn more about the course: https://www.udemy.com/course/worldbuilding-hopeful-futures-with-ai/ Existential Hope was created to collect positive and possible scenarios for the future so that we can have more people commit to creating a brighter future, and to begin mapping out the main developments and challenges that need to be navigated to reach it. Existential Hope is a Foresight Institute project.Hosted by Allison Duettmann and Beatrice ErkersFollow Us: Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Existential Hope InstagramExplore every word spoken on this podcast through Fathom.fm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Zac Hatfield-Dodds is a member of the technical staff at Anthropic. In this episode he talks about Anthropic's responsible scaling policy.About Foresight InstituteForesight Institute is a research organization and non-profit that supports the beneficial development of high-impact technologies. Since our founding in 1987 on a vision of guiding powerful technologies, we have continued to evolve into a many-armed organization that focuses on several fields of science and technology that are too ambitious for legacy institutions to support.Get Involved with Foresight:Apply to our virtual technical seminars Join our in-person events and workshops Donate: Support Our Work – If you enjoy what we do, please consider this, as we are entirely funded by your donations!Follow Us: Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Existential Hope podcast: Clay Routledge | Why Meaning and Agency Matter More Than Ever
In this episode of the Existential Hope Podcast, existential psychologist Clay Routledge explores how meaning and agency shape both individual well-being and societal progress.While material conditions have improved, many people—especially younger generations—report growing pessimism and disconnection. Clay argues that a lack of meaning, not just external barriers, often holds us back. By understanding how humans derive purpose and motivation, we can unlock new paths to flourishing.We discuss:Why agency—the belief that we can shape our future—is crucial for progressHow nostalgia can fuel innovation rather than trap us in the pastThe difference between hope and optimism, and why hope drives actionThe psychology behind rising pessimism and how to counter itWhat a world that maximizes meaning and human potential could look likeIf you’ve ever wondered how psychology can help us move from existential angst to existential hope, this episode is for you.Full transcript, list of resources, and art piece: https://www.existentialhope.com/podcastsExistential Hope was created to collect positive and possible scenarios for the future so that we can have more people commit to creating a brighter future, and to begin mapping out the main developments and challenges that need to be navigated to reach it. Existential Hope is a Foresight Institute project.Hosted by Allison Duettmann and Beatrice ErkersFollow Us: Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Existential Hope InstagramExplore every word spoken on this podcast through Fathom.fm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Cate Hall | What Philanthropy Can Do That Others Can’t
Cate Hall is the CEO of Astera. She’s a former Supreme Court attorney and the ex-No. 1 female poker player in the world. Before joining Astera, she co-founded and served as COO and later co-CEO of Alvea, a pandemic medicine company that set the record for the fastest startup to take a drug candidate to Phase I clinical trial. She received a BS in biochemistry and BA in philosophy from the University of Arizona, and a law degree from Yale Law School.About Foresight InstituteForesight Institute is a research organization and non-profit that supports the beneficial development of high-impact technologies. Since our founding in 1987 on a vision of guiding powerful technologies, we have continued to evolve into a many-armed organization that focuses on several fields of science and technology that are too ambitious for legacy institutions to support.Get Involved with Foresight:Apply to our virtual technical seminars Join our in-person events and workshops Donate: Support Our Work – If you enjoy what we do, please consider this, as we are entirely funded by your donations!Follow Us: Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to the Foresight Institute’s podcast! Since 1986, Foresight has advanced technologies for the long-term benefit of life, focusing on science and technology too early-stage or interdisciplinary for traditional institutions to support.Our podcast features technical seminars in Molecular Machines, Biotech, Intelligent Cooperation, Neurotech, and Spacetech, alongside our Existential Hope content and special episodes.To view presentations of our technical work and to stay up-to-date on new content, subscribe on YouTube and follow us on Twitter. The Foresight Institute Podcast is AI-searchable using Fathom.fm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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