Defending technological dynamism and the freedom to innovate in the age of AI
Despite the fact that technological innovation has been the fundamental driver of economic growth and improvements in human well-being throughout history, the freedom to innovate is constantly coming under attack.
Today, a broad collection of forces is aligned against the freedom to innovate and develop many specific emerging technological capabilities, especially in the fields of artificial intelligence and advanced life sciences. Who or what are these forces? What motivates them and what do they advocate? Can their concerns be overcome? What governance philosophy or policy default will win in the AI age: permissionless innovation or the precautionary principle? And, what lessons can F.A. Hayek and the great thinkers about progress teach us regarding today's debate over progress and how best to meet the challenge posed by anti-innovation forces? These questions will be answered by Adam Thierer in his lecture about how best to defend technological dynamism and the freedom to innovate in the age of AI.
About the speaker
Adam Thierer is a senior fellow for the R Street Institute’s Technology and Innovation team. He works to make the world safe for innovators and entrepreneurs by pushing for a policy vision that is rooted in the idea of “permissionless innovation.” Prior to R Street, Adam spent 12 years as a senior fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. Before the Mercatus Center, he served as the president of the Progress and Freedom Foundation. Adam has also worked for the Adam Smith Institute, the Heritage Foundation and the Cato Institute. Adam has published 10 books on a wide range of topics, including online child safety, internet governance, intellectual property, telecommunications policy, media regulation and federalism. In 2008, Adam received the Family Online Safety Institute’s “Award for Outstanding Achievement.” Adam has a master’s degree in international business management and a bachelor’s degree with a double major in political science and journalism. Adam lives in Falls Church, Virginia with his wife, kids and two cats. Find more of Adam’s work on his Medium, where he publishes work independent of the R Street Institute.
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