How to Build the British ARPA

Today’s interviewee, James Phillips, was formerly the science and tech adviser to Prime Minister Boris Johnson. An acclaimed systems neuroscientist, Phillips helped develop the UK’s rapid COVID testing and helped create the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA).

We discussed:

Dominic Cummings’ band of “weirdos and misfits”

Red-teaming Westminster

Why you should always be willing to resign

The problem with the British civil service

Protecting ARIA from mission creep

Whether the UK can end economic stagnation