Digest for 11/15/2025

Scared of superintelligent AI? You should be, says neuroscientist and philosopher Sam Harris -- and not just in some theoretical way. We're going to build superhuman machines, says Harris, but we haven't yet grappled with the politics and ethics of how best to contain and manage them.

Artificial intelligence is getting smarter by leaps and bounds -- within this century, research suggests, a computer AI could be as 'smart' as a human being. And then, says Nick Bostrom, it will overtake us: 'Machine intelligence is the last invention that humanity will ever need to make.'

Machine intelligence is here, and we're already using it to make subjective decisions. But the complex way AI grows and improves makes it hard to understand and even harder to control. In this cautionary talk, techno-sociologist Zeynep Tufekci explains how intelligent machines can fail in ways that don't fit human error patterns -- and in ways we won't expect or understand.

Bill Gates unveils his vision for the world's energy future, describing the need for 'miracles' to avoid planetary catastrophe and explaining why he's backing a dramatically different type of nuclear reactor. The essential goal? Zero carbon emissions globally by 2050.

Allan Savory has devoted his life to stopping desertification. He now believes -- and his work so far shows -- that a surprising factor can protect grasslands and even reclaim degraded land that was once desert.

Policy entrepreneur Ted Halstead proposes a transformative solution based on the conservative principles of free markets and limited government. Learn more about how this carbon dividends plan could spark an international domino effect.

As we expect more from technology, do we expect less from each other? Sherry Turkle studies how our devices and online personas are redefining human connection and communication -- and asks us to think deeply about the new kinds of connection we want to have.

Adam Alter shares his research on how time spent looking at screens is increasing -- and how it's affecting our well-being and happiness.

Scrolling through our social media feeds feels like a harmless part of our daily lives. But is it actually as harmless at seems? According to social media expert Bailey Parnell, our growing and unchecked obsession with social media has unintended long term consequences on our mental health.

As the popularity of remote working continues to spread, workers today can collaborate across cities, countries and even multiple time zones. How do companies ensure that remote employees are productive and that a separation of space doesn't lead to a separation of company goals and vision? Matt Mullenweg, the founder of Automattic (the company behind WordPress), shares his secrets.

As more companies move to remote and hybrid work, leaders must adapt. Tsedal Neeley, a professor at Harvard Business School, shares strategies for leading effectively in this new landscape shaped by the pandemic.

Organizational psychologist Anthony Klotz, who coined the term 'Great Resignation,' explores why millions of people quit their jobs during the pandemic and what it means for the future of work.

Designer Suzanne Lee shares her experiments in growing a kombucha-based material that can be used like fabric or vegetable leather to make clothing.

Angel Chang takes us inside the global supply chain that makes a simple t-shirt, and discusses how we can make fashion more sustainable.

Carry Somers, founder of Fashion Revolution, explains the human and environmental costs of fast fashion and calls for a more transparent and sustainable industry.

Shohini Ghose wants us to get excited about quantum computers, which operate using an entirely different logic than classical computing. She explains the basics and explores what makes quantum computing so powerful.

Leo Kouwenhoven discusses the challenges and potential of building practical quantum computers.

Dario Gil uses a deck of cards to explain the principles of quantum computing and its transformative power.

Physician-scientist Daniel Kraft demos his Marrow Miner and surveys other astonishing medical tools coming soon, from organ printers to personalized medicine.

Stephen Friend shares how studying people who carry genes for serious diseases but remain healthy can lead to breakthroughs in personalized medicine.

John Wilbanks explores how sharing medical data can accelerate personalized medicine and improve health outcomes for everyone.

Elon Musk discusses Tesla, SpaceX, The Boring Company, and the future of sustainable energy and space travel.

Astronaut Chris Hadfield shares his experiences in space, including a terrifying moment of blindness, and lessons on fear and preparation.

Will Marshall shares how Planet Labs' fleet of tiny satellites provides daily images of Earth, aiding in monitoring environmental changes and disasters.

As we expect more from technology, do we expect less from each other? Sherry Turkle studies how our devices and online personas are redefining human connection and communication -- and asks us to think deeply about the new kinds of connection we want to have.

A handful of people working at a handful of tech companies steer the thoughts of billions of people every day, from running elections to what we see and think. Tristan Harris argues that technology is hijacking our attention and what we can do about it.

In 1998, says Monica Lewinsky, 'I was Patient Zero of losing a personal reputation on a global scale almost instantaneously.' Today, the kind of online public shaming she went through has become constant -- and can turn deadly.

Bill Gates unveils his vision for the world's energy future, describing the need for 'miracles' to avoid planetary catastrophe and explaining why he's backing a dramatically different type of nuclear reactor. The essential goal? Zero carbon emissions globally by 2050.

What's the key to using alternative energy, like solar and wind? Storage -- so we can have power on tap even when the sun's not out and the wind's not blowing. In this accessible talk, Donald Sadoway takes to the blackboard to show us the future of large-scale batteries.

How do we build a society without fossil fuels? Using her native Costa Rica (often called the 'happiest nation on Earth') as an example of near-carbon-free living, climate advocate Monica Araya outlines a bold vision for a world committed to clean energy in all sectors.