THE WORLD FORUM ON THE FUTURE OF DEMOCRACY, TECH AND HUMANKIND - SHAPING OUR FUTURE, SAVING FREEDOM
THE WORLD FORUM ON THE FUTURE OF DEMOCRACY, TECH AND HUMANKIND - SHAPING OUR FUTURE, SAVING FREEDOM
Panel Discussions:
The Future of Humankind
The World Forum on the future of Democracy, Tech and Humankind
18 & 19 February 2024 - Berlin
In recent years, the rapid progress of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has ignited widespread discussions about its implications for humanity. Throughout these discussions, speakers have underscored the critical importance of responsible development and deployment practices to ensure that AI contributes positively to society. This panel delved into various facets of AI, from its capabilities and limitations to the potential risks posed by advanced technologies like Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). Central to the conversation was the imperative of aligning AI systems with human values and ethical principles. Moreover, the panel examined challenges such as standardizing biomarkers in longevity research and the generation of biological data. Amidst these discussions, questions arose about identifying observable qualities in machine intelligence that might indicate alignment with ethical values, reflecting a broader quest for ethical AI development.
Homo sapiens-Homo digital: Being Human in an Age of AI
The Next Agricultural Revolution: Towards a Food System That is Good for People & the Planet
The world faces mounting challenges in feeding a growing population sustainably. The next agricultural revolution aims to revolutionize food production, distribution, and consumption for long-term sustainability and resilience. Incorporating innovative approaches and technologies, this revolution seeks to address key issues like resource scarcity, biodiversity loss, and climate change. Bruce Friedrich, co-founder and president of The Good Food Institute discussed ‘alternative proteins’: plant-based and cultivated meat which could be seen as a promising solution that can help reduce dependence on intensive livestock farming at scale. Philosopher Jeff Sebo emphasized taking a holistic, structural approach to food system reform in order to simultaneously consider issues like climate change, antibiotic resistance, animal welfare, and global health impacts.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - a Future on the Moon, Mars, and Beyond?
The future of humanity in space provides both immense opportunities and profound responsibilities. As space exploration and settlement efforts continue to advance, important questions arise around how to responsibly expand human and possibly post-human civilization beyond Earth. This panel centered around the ethical and legal challenges of space exploration, including the impact of satellite constellations on astronomy, the potential for militarization of space, and the need for effective governance to address issues such as satellite debris and weapons in space. Professor Jeff Sebo emphasized the importance of improving human values and goals before expanding into space, while Allison Duettmann, President and CEO of Foresight Institute, and Dr. Sandberg of the Future of Humanity Institute discussed the current state of space governance and the need for more idealistic and long-term approaches to address emerging issues.