London Futurists
Technology
About
Anticipating and managing exponential impact - hosts David Wood and Calum ChaceCalum Chace is a sought-after keynote speaker and best-selling writer on artificial intelligence. He focuses on the medium- and long-term impact of AI on all of us, our societies and our economies. He advises companies and governments on AI policy.His non-fiction books on AI are Surviving AI, about superintelligence, and The Economic Singularity, about the future of jobs. Both are now in their third editions.He also wrote Pandora's Brain and Pandora’s Oracle, a pair of techno-thrillers about the first superintelligence. He is a regular contributor to ma...
Episodes
- Post-labour economics and the future of capitalism, with Ted Shelton
This episode of London Futurists features Ted Shelton discussing the future of capitalism in an era of advanced AI and displaced human labor. The conversation explores how increased automation may fundamentally alter the balance between la…
- Windfall Trust and the Economic Singularity, with Adrian Brown
Adrian Brown, founder of Windfall Trust, joins London Futurists to discuss the economic singularity and the societal impact of advanced AI. He addresses the disruption to jobs, incomes, and public finances, and how to prepare for these cha…
- Anticipating 2026
In this episode, Calum and David of London Futurists review significant events from the past year, interpreting them as indicators of larger exponential impacts to come. They reflect on their podcast's themes of exponential foresight, scen…
- The puzzle pieces that can defuse the US-China AI race dynamic, with Kayla Blomquist
Kayla Blomquist, Co-founder and Director of the Oxford China Policy Lab, discusses the US-China AI race dynamic. She explores options to navigate risks in the US-China relationship related to advanced AI development.
- Jensen Huang and the zero billion dollar market, with Stephen Witt
In this episode, Stephen Witt talks about his book "The Thinking Machine: Jensen Huang, Nvidia, and the World's Most Coveted Microchip," which chronicles Nvidia's journey from a video game component manufacturer to a leading hardware provi…
- What's your p(Pause)? with Holly Elmore
In this episode, Holly Elmore, Founder of PauseAI US, discusses her organization's mission to advocate for a pause in the development of powerful AI systems until safety can be ensured. She describes PauseAI's activism, including protests…
- Real-life superheroes and troubled institutions, with Tom Ough
This episode of London Futurists features journalist Tom Ough, author of "The Anti-Catastrophe League: The Pioneers And Visionaries On A Quest To Save The World." The discussion focuses on individuals chronicled in his book who are working…
- Safe superintelligence via a community of AIs and humans, with Craig Kaplan
Craig Kaplan, co-author with Herbert Simon, discusses his efforts to ensure the safety of superintelligence. He draws on his background at IBM and his venture PredictWallStreet, aiming to reduce the probability of negative outcomes from ad…
- How progress ends: the fate of nations, with Carl Benedikt Frey
Carl Benedikt Frey, author of "How Progress Ends: Technology, Innovation, and the Fate of Nations," joins London Futurists to discuss how progress can end and its implications for economies. He draws insights from historical patterns of na…
- Tsetlin Machines, Literal Labs, and the future of AI, with Noel Hurley
Noel Hurley, co-founder of Literal Labs, introduces Tsetlin Machines, an energy-efficient and flexible machine learning model. He discusses how these machines combine characteristics of neural networks and symbolic AI to solve complex prob…
- Intellectual dark matter? A reputation trap? The case of cold fusion, with Jonah Messinger
This episode features Jonah Messinger discussing cold fusion and the concept of nucleonics, a new field that could utilize nuclear fusion for energy at low temperatures. The discussion explores reasons to consider anomalous but promising r…
- AI agents, AI safety, and AI boycotts, with Peter Scott
This episode of London Futurists Podcast features a discussion with Peter Scott on the future of AI, specifically AI agents, AI safety, and AI boycotts. Peter Scott is a futurist and technology expert.
- The remarkable potential of hydrogen cars, with Hugo Spowers
In this episode of London Futurists, Hugo Spowers, co-founder and CEO of Riversimple, explores the potential of hydrogen cars. He details Riversimple's approach to fuel cell technology, lightweight vehicle design, and a circular business m…
- AI and the end of conflict, with Simon Horton
Simon Horton joins London Futurists to discuss his book, "The End of Conflict: How AI will end war and help us get on better." He explores the potential of AI to improve conflict resolution and end wars, drawing on his 20 years of experien…
- The AI disconnect: understanding vs motivation, with Nate Soares
Nate Soares, President of MIRI, joins London Futurists to discuss AI alignment. The episode explores MIRI's perspective on AI safety and the challenges associated with it.
- Anticipating an Einstein moment in the understanding of consciousness, with Henry Shevlin
Henry Shevlin, Associate Director of the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence, explores machine consciousness, its ethical ramifications, and how public attitudes towards artificial consciousness may evolve. He also addresses t…
- The case for a conditional AI safety treaty, with Otto Barten
In this episode, Otto Barten discusses the complexities of an international treaty for advanced AI, focusing on his Conditional AI Safety Treaty proposal. The conversation explores the dilemma of ensuring compliance when nations may seek c…
- Humanity's final four years? with James Norris
James Norris joins London Futurists to discuss existential risks and practical actions to reduce them. He shares insights from his work with organizations like the International AI Governance Alliance and the Center for Existential Safety.
- Human extinction: thinking the unthinkable, with Sean ÓhÉigeartaigh
This episode features Sean ÓhÉigeartaigh, who discusses potential human extinction scenarios. He explores causes such as natural disasters, nuclear weapons, greenhouse gas emissions, engineered biopathogens, misaligned artificial intellige…
- The best of times and the worst of times, updated, with Ramez Naam
Ramez Naam, author of "The Infinite Resource," joins London Futurists to discuss his book and its relevance today. He examines how the world has evolved, presenting both advancements and challenges, and reflects on the power of ideas in sh…
- PAI at Paris: the global AI ecosystem evolves, with Rebecca Finlay
Rebecca Finlay, CEO of Partnership on AI (PAI), discusses the Global AI Action Summit in Paris and the evolving global AI ecosystem. She shares insights on AI developments since the Bletchley Park summit and her work with CIFAR.
- AI agents: challenges ahead of mainstream adoption, with Tom Davenport
This episode of London Futurists discusses the anticipated arrival of AI agents and their potential to reshape technology interaction. Tom Davenport, a distinguished professor and thought leader in AI, shares his insights on the transforma…
- Post-labour economics, with David Shapiro
This episode of London Futurists features David Shapiro discussing post-labour economics and the Economic Singularity. The conversation centers on managing societal transitions as technology increasingly displaces human labor from the work…
- Longevity activism at 82, 86, and beyond, with Kenneth Scott and Helga Sands
Kenneth Scott and Helga Sands, both in their 80s, join London Futurists to discuss their insights and experiences as longevity activists, covering various treatments and scientific approaches to maintaining health and vitality. They share…
- Models for society when humans have zero economic value, with Jeff LaPorte
Jeff LaPorte, a software engineer and investor, joins the London Futurists podcast to discuss his ideas on human economic value in post-AI societies, drawing from his newsletter, Road to Artificia, and his article, "Valuing Humans in the A…
- From ineffective altruism to effective altruism? with Stefan Schubert
In this episode, Stefan Schubert discusses the future of altruism and the potential for philanthropic activities to have a greater impact. He highlights that many current efforts to help others are not particularly effective, a judgment ex…
- The global energy transition: an optimistic assessment, with Amory Lovins
Amory Lovins, co-founder of RMI and environmental scientist, discusses the global energy transition. He is known for championing innovative energy approaches and has advised various organizations.
- Building brain-like AIs, with Alexander Ororbia
In this episode, Alexander Ororbia, a professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology, discusses alternative methods for enhancing AI capabilities. He challenges the idea that only scaling up existing systems will improve AI.
- To sidestep death, preserve your connectome, with Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston
Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston, a neuroscientist, discusses the idea of preserving the connectome as a means of sidestepping death. He claims that brain preservation is affordable enough to be provided to everyone. This episode addresses raised…
- Insights from 15 years leading the self-driving vehicle industry, with Sterling Anderson
Sterling Anderson, co-founder of Aurora, shares insights from his 15 years in the self-driving vehicle industry. He discusses his work on Tesla Autopilot and Aurora's plans to deploy autonomous trucks in the US by April 2025.
- The race for AI supremacy, with Parmy Olson
In this episode of London Futurists, Parmy Olson discusses her book "Supremacy: AI, ChatGPT and the Race That Will Change the World". The book highlights the competition between Sam Altman of OpenAI and Demis Hassabis of DeepMind to build…
- A narrow path to a good future with AI, with Andrea Miotti
Andrea Miotti, founder of ControlAI, discusses "A Narrow Path," a policy plan addressing the future of AI. The plan focuses on keeping AI under human control through phases of safety, stability, and flourishing. The initiative aims to buil…
- Gen AI cuts costs by 30%: lessons from a leading law firm, with David Wakeling
David Wakeling, partner at A&O Shearman, details how their generative AI tool, ContractMatrix, has led to a 30% efficiency gain in contract review for the law firm. He also discusses the broader implications and deployment of AI within the…
- Climate change and populism: Grounds for optimism? with Matt Burgess
In this episode, Matt Burgess, an Assistant Professor at the University of Wyoming, discusses the economics of climate change, the impact of social media, and the causes of populism. He also explores topics such as climate scenario SSP5-8.…
- Rejuvenation biotech - progress and potential, with Karl Pfleger
Karl Pfleger, an angel investor in rejuvenation biotech startups and founder of Aging Biotech Info, discusses the progress and potential within the field of rejuvenation biotech. He also shares insights from his work creating a structured…
- ChatGPT runs for president, with Pedro Domingos
Pedro Domingos, a professor at the University of Washington, joins London Futurists to discuss his work in machine learning, his book "The Master Algorithm," and his recent satirical novel "2040: A Silicon Valley Satire." He also shares hi…
- The rise of digital pandemics, with James Ball
In this episode of London Futurists, journalist and author James Ball discusses his book, "The Other Pandemic: How QAnon Contaminated the World," focusing on the concept of digital pandemics. He draws on his extensive background in investi…
- Thinking more athletically about the future, with Brett King and Rob Tercek
Brett King and Rob Tercek, hosts of the Futurists Podcast, join David and Calum to discuss the future impacts of AI and other technologies, technological unemployment, the future of media, and industrial strategy.
- The low-cost future of preserving brains, with Jordan Sparks
Jordan Sparks, founder of Oregon Brain Preservation, discusses the process of chemically preserving brains for future restoration. This episode explores the services offered by OBP, highlighting their unique focus on chemical fixation over…
- Surveillance and diversity: surprising insights from the Gulf, with Holly Joint
Holly Joint, based in Abu Dhabi, shares insights on surveillance, diversity, and the role of women in technology within the Gulf region. She discusses her experiences in the UAE and Qatar, including her work on Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid a…
- The double-edged sword of technology, with Wendell Wallach
In this episode, Wendell Wallach, Carnegie-Uehiro fellow at Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs, discusses how to prevent technology from becoming uncontrollable. He draws on his extensive background in technology ethics a…
- Stop cryocrastinating! with Emil Kendziorra
Emil Kendziorra, CEO of Tomorrow Bio and President of the European Biostasis Foundation, discusses medical biostasis and cryomedicine. He shares his journey from cancer research to entrepreneurship, focusing on advancing life extension thr…
- Introducing Conscium, with Daniel Hulme and Ted Lappas
In this episode, Daniel Hulme and Ted Lappas join London Futurists to introduce Conscium, a new venture focused on applied AI consciousness research. They discuss Conscium's mission to deepen understanding of consciousness for efficient, i…
- Taming the Machine, with Nell Watson
Nell Watson, author of "Taming the Machine: ethically harness the power of AI," joins London Futurists to discuss the responsible use of AI. She shares insights on avoiding both complacent optimism and defeatist pessimism to harness AI's p…
- AI Impacts Survey - The key implications, with Katja Grace
Katja Grace, a researcher at AI Impacts, discusses findings from the 2023 Expert Survey on Progress in AI. The survey, with 2,778 participants, highlights a projected decrease in the time till human-level AI, a notable change since the 202…
- Cryonics, cryocrastination, and the future: changing minds, with Max More
Max More, a philosopher and futurist, discusses cryonics and transhumanism. He shares his optimistic views on technology's ability to enhance human life and preserve brains through cryonics.
- Stem cells, lab-grown meat, and potential new medical treatments, with Mark Kotter
Dr. Mark Kotter, a neurosurgeon and biotech founder, discusses his work with stem cells, lab-grown meat, and new medical treatments. He shares insights from his companies Meatable, bit.bio, and clock.bio, covering topics such as cultured m…
- The economic case for a second longevity revolution, with Andrew Scott
Andrew Scott, Professor of Economics at the London Business School, discusses the idea of a longevity society. He proposes a reframing of the future, focusing on building a better society for healthier and longer lives, as detailed in his…
- Can AI be conscious? with Nicholas Humphrey
Nicholas Humphrey, Emeritus Professor of Psychology at LSE, discusses whether AI can become conscious or sentient. He shares insights from his book "Sentience: the invention of consciousness" and his extensive research into the evolution o…
- Progress with ending aging, with Aubrey de Grey
In this episode, Aubrey de Grey discusses advancements in the field of ending aging. He talks about his involvement with various foundations and responds to questions regarding the current progress in human longevity.