Innovations

In their new book, co-authors and Stanford professors Rob Reich and Mehran Sahami argue that big tech’s obsession with optimization and efficiency has sacrificed fundamental human values. In this conversation, they outline steps we should take to change course and renew democracy.

Like Photoshop, photography, or even pigment, A.I. represents new technology for creative expression that aims to close the gap between imagination and physicality. Alexander Reben will discuss A.I. and art through the lens of over 15 years of his consulting work and artistic practice, which investigates automation, algorithms, and art using play, absurdity, and humor.

Acclaimed authors and experts Annie Murphy Paul, Sheena Iyengar, and Keith Sawyer explore the multifaceted nature of decision-making, choice, and creativity. Through their unique perspectives, this trio delves into the intersection of psychology, neuroscience, and social dynamics, shedding light on how our choices and creative processes shape our lives and the world around...

The generative artificial intelligence genie is out of the bottle. When we look back 30 years from now, what will we be able to point to that we got right?

From satellite internet and autonomous taxis to the Star Trek computer and personal robots: technologies that once sounded like science fiction are becoming reality. Join Amazon’s Dave Limp and Katie Couric for a conversation about the technologies shaping our present and future. (Presented by Amazon. Session will conclude at 12:30.)

An advanced nuclear power plant is coming to Wyoming. Funded by Bill Gates’ TerraPower, it will use cutting edge technology that aims to provide safer and more sustainable nuclear energy. Wyoming’s governor and the company’s CEO share their optimism, address concerns around technology, and expand on the bumpy road to building nuclear power in America.

Economic uncertainty continues its reign of confusion, vexing financial leaders, regulators, and consumers with worrisome inflation and unpredictable markets. Experts weigh in on whether we can avoid a recession, what today’s banking and political difficulties signal about the future of lending and saving, and how workplace developments, A.I. advances, and complex geopolit...

From revolutionary advancements aiding paralysis patients to the therapeutic treatment of PTSD, brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) possess boundless potential for merging human biology with cutting-edge technology in unprecedented ways. Three visionaries in this field demonstrate what’s possible now and offer insights into the future trajectory of this technology.

A.I. can find meaningful patterns in otherwise unintelligible noise, so scientists are starting to wonder: Can A.I. help humans interpret animal sounds? Scientist Karen Bakker and machine-learning expert Aza Raskin talk to “Unexplainable” podcast host Noam Hassenfeld about remarkable scientific discoveries and possibilities for interspecies communication.

Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin are deeply concerned about the deployment of tools like ChatGPT. As co-founders of the Center for Human Technology, they are on a mission to close the gap between what the world hears publicly about A.I. and what the people closest to the risks and harms inside A.I. labs are telling them.

In this series of short talks, leaders of energy start-ups pitch their big ideas: using A.I. to find critical minerals under the Earth’s surface, installing geothermal systems in your home, ensuring the safety of clean tech, and storing clean energy in the grid when the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining.

The impact of A.I. on the job market is debatable, as it has the potential to both automate tasks and displace workers but also the potential to create new economic opportunities and enhance productivity. How do workers, employers, and educators need to prepare for this brave new world?

Stories matter, as do the ways we tell them. Hear from the founder of an audiobook empire and a renowned theoretical physicist on the art and power of capturing and conveying human experience through compelling narrative.

We are entering a world in which tracking and hacking our brains will become commonplace, A.I. can increasingly decode what we’re thinking and imagining, and our brain waves will become the universal controller for the rest of our interactions with technology. This can benefit humanity greatly, but without the right safeguards in place, it also may threaten our last bastio...

A.I. experts are confronted with an enormous opportunity to build technology that benefits everyone, but it’s critical that these systems are built carefully. Discover the transformative potential of A.I. as we explore the essential guardrails required to ensure it remains a force for positive change.

In this new Aspen Ideas format, all attendees gather each morning to kick off the day by exploring a current issue of deep complexity. The rapid growth of generative A.I. — surpassing expectations with over 100 million users of the technology in a short span of time — is a testament to its distinct intelligence and unique approach to problem-solving. There are many upsi...

Generative A.I., until recently, was a mostly academic pursuit. As machine-learning technology becomes mainstream, how will it change the way we communicate, collaborate and create? How can we make the most of this huge leap forward in technology, while recognizing its limitations and risks?

E.O. Wilson said, “We have Paleolithic emotions, medieval institutions, and godlike technology.” How should technology be designed and controlled so it improves our lives, economy, and culture without losing individuality, privacy, and trust in society and each other? Presented by Allstate