The case for long-term tech optimism Abundance Institute 2024-08-07 | The lightbulb illuminated our world, the airplane connected it, and the iPhone put it in our pockets. Here’s the case for tech-optimism.Subscribe to Abundance Institute on YouTube ► youtube.com/channel/UCP0Pf2ycSsqtEhgJZeT4N2wSign up for our newsletter, coming soon ► https://linktr.ee/abundance.institute In a world where innovation is often met with skepticism, longterm optimism is the driving force behind technological advancements. History has shown us time and again that even the most groundbreaking innovations—like the lightbulb, the bicycle, and the airplane—started as failures. But those who believed in the potential of these technologies saw past their initial limitations, and it was this belief that transformed the world into the one we have today. Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, once doubted the first Macintosh's impact, despite being one of the creators. Time and time again, history has shown us that a forward-looking mindset and a belief in potential can transform even sub-par prototypes into lasting innovations. The optimism that drove Edison, the Wright brothers, and Steve Jobs is the same force that continues to shape our future.Embracing tech optimism isn’t just about hope; it’s a recognition that progress often comes from persistence and a willingness to look beyond early setbacks. History shows that with a bit of patience and a positive outlook, even imperfect technology can evolve into something impactful. Visit the Abundance Institute website to learn more ► https://abundance.institute/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=youtube_description
AI is intelligent, but that doesn’t mean it’s smart | Dr. Melanie Mitchell Abundance Institute 2024-10-16 | AI expert Melanie Mitchell shares her take on artificial intelligence—especially what it means to be “intelligent” to begin with. Subscribe to Abundance Institute on YouTube ► youtube.com/channel/UCP0Pf2ycSsqtEhgJZeT4N2wSign up for our newsletter, coming soon ► https://linktr.ee/abundance.institute Dr. Melanie Mitchell, a leading expert in artificial intelligence, examines the mounting fears surrounding AI, especially as these systems achieve increasingly human-like conversational abilities. She warns that these fears, if unchecked, could lead to overregulation and reduced transparency, making AI less safe and beneficial in the long run.Mitchell explains that true intelligence, including human intelligence, involves social awareness and understanding the broader impact of actions—capabilities current AI doesn’t have. According to Mitchell, the idea of a superintelligent AI pursuing harmful goals is unrealistic; AI's capabilities, she says, are still very far from this scenario.Mitchell also introduces "Moravec's Paradox," where tasks that are straightforward for humans, like social interactions, are surprisingly difficult for AI, while complex tasks, like chess, are easier for machines. Despite fears, she emphasizes the immense potential of AI to further develop medical, scientific, and academic innovations. This development, she explains, cannot happen if fear forces overregulation and tight restrictions on its use.
Harnessing AI for Public Good: Learn from Estonia’s AI-Enabled Government Abundance Institute 2024-10-15 | Estonia is a global leader in adopting AI, but it doesn’t do so blindly. In this interview, Kaja Kallas, former Prime Minister of Estonia, shares how the country carefully navigates the tradeoffs of AI implementation, balancing innovation with responsible governance. By embracing the benefits of AI while considering the risks, Estonia sets a model for how governments can leverage technology to boost efficiency, improve services, and protect citizens. Learn how Estonia’s nuanced approach to AI can guide other nations in their digital transformation.
Why Nuclear is Safe Abundance Institute 2024-10-14 | "Nuclear power is actually really safe." Taylor Barkley, our Director of Public Policy, debunks some of the common misconceptions around nuclear.
Imagine Filing Complicated Taxes Online in Minute. Estonia Shows It’s Possible Abundance Institute 2024-10-11 | What if you could file even the most complicated of taxes in minutes? Estonia has made this a reality through its digital government infrastructure. Join us for a conversation with Kaja Kallas, former Estonian Prime Minister, to explore how AI and technology are reshaping governance and improving lives in Estonia.
Give Nuclear a Chance Abundance Institute 2024-10-11 | Imagine a future with abundant clean energy. A future where carbon emissions are no longer a worry. If we give nuclear a chance, that future could be here sooner than you think.
Can AI Cut Red Tape? Estonia’s Paperwork-Free Approach Abundance Institute 2024-10-09 | Running a business in Estonia just got easier thanks to AI. Join us for a conversation with Kaja Kallas, former Prime Minister of Estonia, as she shares how the country has implemented AI to reduce paperwork and simplify business licensing. Discover how AI is reshaping government processes and enabling businesses to operate more efficiently.
Estonia’s Digital Society: Why the World Should Pay Attention Abundance Institute 2024-10-08 | Discover how Estonia became the world’s most digitally-enabled society. In this interview, Kaja Kallas, former Prime Minister of Estonia, explores the country’s use of technology to build trust, streamline governance, and improve citizen services. From online voting to AI-driven solutions, Estonia offers a model the United States should learn from. Watch now to see how digital society can restore trust in government.Watch the full interview with Sten Tamkivi and Kaja Kallas here: youtu.be/GxFCl1iQCxo
The Future of Governance is Digital: Lessons from Estonia Abundance Institute 2024-10-08 | Estonia has created a digital-first society that has transformed how citizens interact with their government. In this interview, former Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas, sits down with Sten Tamkivi, a leading Estonian entrepreneur to share how Estonia has used technology to revolutionize public services and governance. Kaja Kallas explains how Estonia uses AI to improve governance, streamline public services, and build trust. Watch to learn why Estonia is a global leader in digital society and how the US could learn from their approach.
The case for nuclear power, history’s most misunderstood energy source Abundance Institute 2024-09-19 | Nuclear power might just hold the key to our clean energy future. Let us explain. Subscribe to Abundance Institute on YouTube ► youtube.com/channel/UCP0Pf2ycSsqtEhgJZeT4N2wSign up for our newsletter, coming soon ► https://linktr.ee/abundance.institute Nuclear power has long been clouded by fear and controversy, from its association with nuclear weapons to the accidents at Chernobyl and Fukushima. Yet, for decades, it’s quietly provided a reliable source of electricity without producing any carbon emissions. Now, with the rising demand for energy and the urgent need to cut emissions, nuclear is starting to get a second look from experts and governments around the world.New reactor technologies, like small modular reactors and microreactors, promise to make nuclear energy safer and more affordable. With 22 countries pledging to triple their nuclear capacity by 2050, it could play a major role in achieving global net-zero goals. But there are still hurdles to clear—like reducing costs, removing regulator barriers, and shifting public opinion. The question is whether we can overcome these challenges and see nuclear as a vital part of our clean energy future.
The anti-encryption bills that almost banned privacy Abundance Institute 2024-09-11 | Did you know encryption was once classified as a weapon? Watch as we explore the fight to protect encryption in the face of government control.Subscribe to Abundance Institute on YouTube ► youtube.com/channel/UCP0Pf2ycSsqtEhgJZeT4N2wSign up for our newsletter, coming soon ► https://linktr.ee/abundance.institute It’s hard to believe now, but encryption was once considered so dangerous it was classified as a munition, subject to the same export controls as weapons. Lawmakers like Joe Biden and President Clinton pushed hard to regulate and even ban the technology, fearing that criminals could use it to communicate in secret. This sparked a decades-long debate: who gets to control powerful new technology?Tech pioneers like Phil Zimmerman believed digital privacy was a fundamental right. In 1991, he created the open-source cryptology software Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) to help internet users keep their online communications to themselves. Fast forward to today, and the encryption debate is still raging. As new technologies like AI enter the fold, we face a similar dilemma—how do we balance security with privacy? This episode dives deep into the lessons of the 1990s and their relevance for today’s technology policy debates.
Moravecs paradox: Tasks easy for humans are hard for AI while tasks hard for humans are easy for AI Abundance Institute 2024-09-05 | ...
Professor Mel Mitchell on how society is projecting deep-rooted fears onto artificial intelligence Abundance Institute 2024-08-23 | ...
What the war on pagers taught us about embracing change Abundance Institute 2024-08-21 | What we can learn from the pager problem, so we don’t get carried away with the next “harmful” technology: Subscribe to Abundance Institute on YouTube ► youtube.com/channel/UCP0Pf2ycSsqtEhgJZeT4N2wSign up for our newsletter, coming soon ► https://linktr.ee/abundance.institute In the late 80s and early 90s, pagers became a symbol of fear and suspicion. Initially seen as a useful one-way texting tool, they were quickly linked to the drug trade by the media and lawmakers. This shift in perception led to strict laws that unfairly targeted young people. Kids were arrested, suspended, and stigmatized simply for owning a pager, showing the dangers of misjudging technological innovation.This story isn’t just about pagers; it’s about how our fear of new technology can lead to harmful consequences. The pager panic is a reminder of the lasting implications tech-related moral panics can have on people’s lives. As we face new technologies today, it’s worth asking: Are we repeating the same mistakes? The history of pagers offers valuable lessons in how we approach change in light of the reactions echo in today’s debates over smartphones and social media today.Visit the Abundance Institute website to learn more ► https://abundance.institute/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=youtube_description
Homebuilding hasnt changed since the Middle Ages, but @ICON3DTech wants to change that. Abundance Institute 2024-08-14 | ...
Nothing changes if nothing changes. Abundance Institute 2024-08-02 | Technology is evolving every single day — and regulatory law must keep up if we want to create an abundant future.
We can 3D-print our way out of the housing crisis. Here’s how. Abundance Institute 2024-07-31 | We’ve built houses the same way for a thousand years. With 1.2 billion under-sheltered people worldwide, it’s time for a housing revolution. Here’s how ICON’s 3D printing tech could be just that.Subscribe to Abundance Institute on YouTube ► youtube.com/channel/UCP0Pf2ycSsqtEhgJZeT4N2wSign up for our newsletter, coming soon ► https://linktr.ee/abundance.institute Can we build our way out of the housing crisis? That’s what ICON believes, a start-up that is printing 3D homes at affordable prices in as little as 8 days. We’ve been building houses the same way for a thousand years, but this new breakthrough tech could make it quicker and cheaper to put more roofs over more heads. The one big roadblock? Regulations almost as old as our methods. Here’s why it’s vital that we allow this new technology to develop and flourish. Visit the Abundance Institute website to learn more ► https://abundance.institute/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=youtube_description
How do we write regulations today for burgeoning tech? Virginia Postrel responds: Abundance Institute 2024-07-27 | ...
Is the ideal society one that’s highly controlled and stable, or one that values learning above all? Abundance Institute 2024-07-20 | ...
What the Luddites can teach us about disruptions from developing tech Abundance Institute 2024-07-17 | ...
Who decides the future? Technocrats vs. Innovators | Virginia Postrel Abundance Institute 2024-07-10 | There is a tendency to underestimate the risks of not experimenting. Author Virginia Postrel explains how blaming technology for all that ails society holds us back.Subscribe to Abundance Institute on YouTube ► youtube.com/channel/UCP0Pf2ycSsqtEhgJZeT4N2wSign up for our newsletter, coming soon ► https://linktr.ee/abundance.institute We’re taking current technology for granted, which is slowing down our progress, argues Virginia Postrel.Underestimating the impact of avoiding new technology can be highly detrimental to society. Instead, we should embrace experimentation and strive to understand the full potential of new tech.Adopting a dynamist approach allows us to identify and improve weak points in our technology. By doing so, we can continue to make progress, strengthening our technological landscape with increasingly innovative solutions.Visit the Abundance Institute website to learn more ► https://abundance.institute/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=youtube_description
Apple made a “weapon of war.” Here’s what the Power Mac G4 taught us. Abundance Institute 2024-06-26 | When it first came out, this Apple product was classified by the US government as a “weapon of war.” Will we take this lesson from history and apply it to the future of tech regulation in the age of AI?Subscribe to Abundance Institute on YouTube ► youtube.com/channel/UCP0Pf2ycSsqtEhgJZeT4N2wMeet the Power Mac G4, Apple’s so-called “weapon of war.” Released in 1999, this Apple computer had over a gigaflop of computing power, which, at the time, was revolutionary. With its groundbreaking computing power, the Power Mac G4 inadvertently invoked a Cold War-era export law. The 1979 Export Administration Act was meant to keep high-performance computers out of enemy hands, but 20 years later, it risked hindering the growing personal computer industry.This case highlights the challenges of regulating future technologies based on today’s understanding of tech, and is something that should be carefully considered when approaching innovations like Artificial Intelligence. It begs the question: Will regulating AI actually help aid responsible tech development, or will stringent rules create a restrictive, stagnant environment? History suggests that rapid technological advancements often outpace and even dismantle strict regulations—regardless of who enforces them.Clarification: As of 6.28.24 the California bill referenced in this video, SB 1047, had only passed the state senate 32-1. You can find more details about the bill here: legiscan.com/CA/bill/SB1047/2023.
The US’ first meltdown-proof nuclear reactor was shut down 30 years ago. We need to bring it back. Abundance Institute 2024-06-14 | ...
Its time to shift the culture around emerging technology | Abundance Institute Abundance Institute 2024-06-05 | “Do we have a future marked by abundance, or do we have a future wishing we could only live in the world we used to have?”For more stories about emerging technologies that will help us unlock a more abundant world, subscribe to Abundance Institute ► youtube.com/channel/UCP0Pf2ycSsqtEhgJZeT4N2wWe’re living in a time of technological transformation, but we’ve got a huge problem: There’s fear surrounding the very same emerging technologies that have the power to transform our world into one of abundance.As a society, we have a choice. Will we encourage these advancements to grow and unlock human flourishing, or will we freeze these technologies in stagnancy and let fear win?The stakes can’t be any higher. Visit the Abundance Institute website to learn more ► https://abundance.institute/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=youtube_description
Meet new nuclear: Safe, efficient nuclear power that can lead us into a green energy revolution. Abundance Institute 2024-05-31 | ...
A clean energy silver bullet is buried in a government lab Abundance Institute 2024-05-29 | “You can deploy this on a global scale, and help provide abundant, clean, affordable power.”For more stories about emerging technologies that will help us unlock a more abundant world, subscribe to Abundance Institute ► youtube.com/channel/UCP0Pf2ycSsqtEhgJZeT4N2wThis A-frame building isn’t a vacation rental: it’s a nuclear power plant. And it’s nothing like the nuclear facilities of the past that you might fear. This one is meltdown proof and recycles nuclear waste. Nuclear power is the most efficient way to decarbonize and spark a green revolution. This ‘new nuclear’ is safe, sustainable, and abundant. To harness the true power of this tech, we have to destigmatize nuclear. Here’s how Oklo is leading the way. Visit the Abundance Institute website to learn more ► https://abundance.institute/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=youtube_description
Can a block of carbon power a thermal battery that will change the world? Abundance Institute 2024-05-17 | ...
A long energy storage solution can help us jumpstart a green revolution. Heres how. Abundance Institute 2024-05-10 | ...
This new, sustainable energy could save the planet, if regulators allow it | Abundance Institute Abundance Institute 2024-05-08 | Science and engineers are making a carbon-free future possible. Here’s the battery tech that could jumpstart another industrial revolution.For more stories about emerging technologies that will help us unlock a more abundant world, subscribe to Abundance Institute ► youtube.com/channel/UCP0Pf2ycSsqtEhgJZeT4N2wCan we have clean, affordable energy, without sacrificing the reliability present in sources like fossil fuels? Antora Energy’s new battery tech harnesses consistency from carbon, and is 100x cheaper than fossil fuels. This carbon-powered battery offers similar energy storage to lithium batteries, at a fraction of the cost. If we want to get serious about investing in clean energy sources, Antora’s innovation could create the green industrial revolution we’ve been promised. This battery could be the key to unlocking an abundant, sustainable future. But will regulators let it move forward?Visit the Abundance Institute website to learn more ► https://abundance.institute/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=youtube_description
Will we have a future marked by abundance? Or a future where we dream of living in the past? Abundance Institute 2024-05-03 | ...
We have a choice: To be satisfied with the status quo, or to build a better future. Abundance Institute 2024-04-26 | ...
We believe in disruptive technologies that can create an abundant future for all. Join us #Abundance Abundance Institute 2024-04-21 | ...
