TL;DR: Anticipating Biological Risk and the Impact of AI Biological risks, whether from intentional misuse or accidental release, are a growing concern in an age where AI and biotechnology intersect.

Good morning, Today is the first Friday of 2025. I spent the New Year’s holiday in a backcountry hut with friends and family, reflecting on 2024 and what I’m hoping for in 2025. One of the things I’m most excited about in 2025 is to explore this intersection of technology and humanity more through the lens of science fiction. I hope you’ll indulge me for an extra TCIP edition this week to share.

TL;DR: Engineering Biology and Public Trust Engineering biology holds immense potential to transform society, addressing critical challenges in healthcare, sustainability, and industry.

Artificial intelligence has become the central nervous system of our era, quietly weaving itself into the fabric of our daily lives. A recent House report makes recommendations for our future.

The Map Is Not the Territory Artificial intelligence has often been described as a new frontier—a vast, uncharted space promising unparalleled opportunity but fraught with hidden risks. Recently, the inaugural convening of the International Network of AI Safety Institutes (INASI) in San Francisco laid down a global compass for navigating this terrain.

The Ancient Roots of Agricultural Innovation Agriculture is undergoing a revolution, one shaped by the transformative power of biotechnology. This field, at the intersection of science, policy, and industry, promises to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time.

Gene drives—a concept that might sound like something from science fiction—could reshape the way we address some of the world's most pressing challenges. Picture a future where we can eradicate devastating diseases, better protect our crops, and control invasive species. This technology holds the power to turn these visions into reality. However, with such transformative potential come significant risks and ethical questions.

Imagine standing on the shores of Prince William Sound, Alaska, where the Exxon Valdez oil spill once unleashed 11 million gallons of crude oil into the ocean. The waves crash gently against the rocky beach, but beneath the surface, a quieter revolution is happening. Microbes — some engineered, some naturally adapted — are cleaning up what humans couldn’t. This is bioremediation in action, where biotechnology meets environmental stewardship.

The Future of Cleanup Hi everyone, and welcome to this week’s edition of Co-Evolution ! Today, we’re diving into a topic that blends cutting-edge biotechnology with environmental justice: bioremediation. You may not have heard of the term before, but if you’ve ever hoped for a cleaner, greener future, this is where the action is happening.

Technology doesn’t evolve in isolation. Neither do careers. Neither do ideas. The Connected Ideas Project (TCIP) exists to explore the intersections—where emerging technology meets governance, where nonlinear careers challenge the status quo, and where speculative fiction helps us see the future before it arrives. If you’re here, it’s because you know the world isn’t built in silos. You see connections where others don’t.

Hello my friends. Today, I’m sharing a different kind of post. I spend a lot of time considering the implications of the technology we are developing, and I want to share some thoughts on what I consider the FABRIC of our society and the future human experience. This is outside of my traditional post, so I would love to hear your thoughts and feedback.