Brave New World -- hosted by Vasant Dhar
Brave New World is a look into the transformation of humanity by machines in the post-COVID era. It examines a wide range of topics around how technology and “virtualization” of our lives is impacting work, health, faith, emotional well being, government, democracy, and freedom. It is hosted by AI-pioneer Vasant Dhar.
- Update frequency
- every 13 days
- Average duration
- 66 minutes
- Episodes
- 99
- Years Active
- 2020 - 2025
Ep 58: Sam Bowman on ChatGPT & Controlling AI
Als…
Ep 57: Rich Bonneau on the Exciting Frontiers of Computational Biology
Ep 56: Tom Davenport on Artificial Intelligence in Business
It is about time companies went all in on artificial intelligence. Tom Davenport joins Vasant Dhar in episode 56 of Brave New World to discuss how his work with AI in the corporate world makes him su…
Ep 55: Paul Barrett on Regulating Social Media
Social media has brought new challenges to our times, such as what they should or shouldn't publish or amplify. Do we need new laws to deal with these challenges, or are current laws sufficient? Paul…
Ep 54: Dana Carroll on the Science and Ethics of Gene Editing
We have become the first species that can edit its own programming. Dana Carroll joins Vasant Dhar in episode 54 of Brave New World to share his insights on the science of gene editing -- and the eth…
Ep 53: Paul Shapiro on Growing Meat Without Animals
In principle, you can take a single cell from an animal and feed an entire village. It's a matter of time. In the meantime, there are alternatives, like fermentation, to produce all kinds of new subs…
Ep 52: Neeti Bhalla Johnson on Risk in Our Modern World
Has the world become more or less safe over the years? How do we measure risk in these times of crazy change? Neeti Bhalla Johnson joins Vasant Dhar in episode 52 of Brave New World to share her thou…
Ep 51: Emeran Mayer on the Brain in Our Gut
The brain and the gut are connected -- and our well-being depends on it. Emeran Mayer joins Vasant Dhar to speak about the importance of the gut in our physical lives -- and our emotional ones! Usef…
Ep 50: Pramod Varma on India's Digital Empowerment
India has achieved a technological miracle by empowering hundreds of millions of people with the power of identity. Pramod Varma joins Vasant Dhar in episode 50 of Brave New World to discuss his pion…
Ep 49: Anshu Gupta on Using Waste For Good
We need to change the way we do philanthropy: it should be about sharing, not giving. Anshu Gupta joins Vasant Dhar in episode 49 of Brave New World to discuss his journey in building Goonj -- and wh…
Ep 48: Hanna Halaburda and Yannis Bakos on Bitcoin, Blockchain and DeFi
Is Bitcoin just a bubble, or the first face of the future? What about blockchain and DeFi? Hanna Halaburda and Yannis Bakos join Vasant Dhar in episode 48 of Brave New World to dig deeper into these …
Ep 47: Shelley Stewart on Black Economic Mobility
How did Covid-19 affect black Americans? What are the obstacles to their mobility and what can you do about it? Shelley Stewart joins Vasant Dhar in episode 47 of Brave New World to discuss his work …
Ep 46: Soumitra Datta on Measuring Innovation
How can we tell if one country is more innovative than another? What drives that difference? And hey, what is innovation to begin with? Soumitra Datta joins Vasant Dhar in episode 46 of Brave New Wor…
Ep 45: Joseph Aoun on Becoming Robot-Proof
If robots and AI are replacing us, we need to reinvent ourselves. Joseph Aoun joins Vasant Dhar in episode 45 of Brave New World to discuss the role of education in making humanity robot-proof. Usef…
Ep 44: Maneka Gandhi on Animal Rights
Perhaps the greatest human sin is how we treat animals. Maneka Gandhi joins Vasant Dhar in episode 44 of Brave New World to share her learnings from decades as an animal activist. Useful resources: …
Ep 43: Bernard Haykel on Islam and the West
Ep 42: Antoinette Schoar on Decentralized Finance & Crypto
Will cryptocurrencies save the world or create a new can of worms? Antoinette Schoar joins Vasant Dhar in episode 42 of Brave New World to take us on a dispassionate tour through the world of Bitcoin…
Ep 41: David Chalmers on the Nature of Reality
What are the philosophical implications of virtual reality? Do we exist "physically" or "virtually" and does it matter? Is virtual reality real? How is reality different from consciousness? David Cha…
Ep 40: Ben Hunt on the Power of Narrative
'We need narrative theory,' says Ben Hunt, to understand the alien beings called Narratives that inhabit our Metaverse. Hunt joins Vasant Dhar in episode 40 of Brave New World to describe how Big Tec…
Ep 39: Marie Bergstrom on Online Dating and Intimacy
Hooking up ain't like it used to be. Marie Bergstrom joins Vasant Dhar in episode 39 of Brave New World to discuss her research on how the internet has changed the world of love -- and lust. Useful …