I’m pleased to announce the founding of the Better World Institute for Thought & Policy. This new think tank will use ideas from my book, Thought++, and ideas from my course on “The World in 2050” to help find fresh ways of addressing some of the central challenges of the modern age – risks to our ecosystems, risks to the stability of our financial and political systems, risks that will arise with the widespread introduction of new forms of artificial intelligence.
At this stage, preliminary results are very encouraging: Case studies in my book – along with those explored in my blog, public lectures, and my course at Caltech – illustrate the power that comes from employing these new strategies. They show how Thought++ (these new ways of orchestrating thought) can help stimulate fresh ideas about the best ways to help ensure a livable human future. But – obviously – the real leverage, the real prospect for change, will only come as Thought++ is applied more widely, as potential solutions get tested, extended, revised, and used on a global scale.
With the immense help of Mike Ash, who has a strong background in consulting and a deep familiarity with the nonprofit sector, we have launched the institute and are pressing ahead immediately with studies on health care, on patterns of thought needed in a functional democracy, on the fairness and stability of the economic system, and on the risks of artificial intelligence.
We’re optimistic, but Mike and I know that this next stage of work will require a larger team, with a Board of Directors, with donors, and with new team members who have the vision and imagination and courage needed to see the world from a new perspective. This project will require about $20 million of support for a five-year, full-scale proof of principle using these new strategies. On one hand, it’s obviously a lot of money, but – on a larger scale – it may be a small price to pay as we work to develop fresh hope for the planet, fresh hope for the human future.
And, of course, please let us know if you may be able to help. I’d be delighted to send a summary of our plans and would love to meet if you’re interested in getting more details (or have advice and suggestions about any approaches that could give added leverage to our efforts).
I hope we can work together and build a better world!