Our ancestors long feared the world-ending wrath of angry gods. But it is only recently that we have developed the capacity to do ourselves in, whether from climate change, nuclear weapons, artificial intelligence or synthetic biology.
Although our ability to cause harm on a planetary scale has increased exponentially as a result of our technology, our means of responsibly managing these newfound powers have not. This must change if humanity is to survive and thrive.
Today’s deeply interconnected world demands that we develop a collective consciousness and purpose to address common challenges and ensure that technological advances serve everyone. So far, zero-sum competition between countries and communities has posed an insurmountable obstacle to mitigating global risks. But the same technologies that are ripe for misuse also have the potential to help foster a shared sense of responsibility.