Possible Futures Podcast

About Possible Futures Podcast

We're living through a moment of unprecedented technological possibility, yet most people only hear about one version of the future—usually the most dramatic or profitable one. AI will replace all jobs. Biotech will solve everything. Space is our escape plan. But these singular narratives obscure the reality: we have choices, and those choices will determine which future we actually get. Each episode of Possible Futures explores the lesser-known possibilities and alternative pathways that exist beyond the usual. Hosted by Singularity Fellow: Gary Bolles

Publisher

Singularity University

Category

technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

11 Jun 2025

Latest episode

4 Sept 2025

Latest episodes

12 of 13 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   4 Sept 2025TRANSCRIPT

   AI, Mobility & The Near Future with Carlo van de Weijer | Singularity University

   Carlo van de Weijer is a mechanical engineer, longtime automotive innovator (incl. TomTom/Siemens), and Managing Director at the Eindhoven AI Institute. We explore what AI really is (goal-oriented adaptive systems), why mobility is a perfect testbed, and how sensors are exploding. At the same time, actuators are improving linearly, and this has significant implications for self-driving, humanoid robots, education, leadership, regulation, and job opportunities in the next 2–3 years. What you’ll learn: - A clear, practical definition of AI (beyond “automation” and chatbots) - Why mobility + AI matters: compute on wheels, data loops, safety, emissions - Sensors vs. actuators: the exponential that’s quietly changing everything- How leaders should actually use AI (prompts, guardrails, real productivity) - Jobs: what gets automated vs. where humans add value Industries poised to benefit now (legal, transportation, energy/EVs, V2G) - Risks & guardrails: EU AI Act, Asimov-style constraints, “playing with fire” - Education & parenting: teaching thinking, not just testing- A realistic 10–15 year view: more prosperity, less friction, human constants

2. 

   27 Aug 2025

   Robert Suarez on Biomimicry and Designing Possible Futures

   What can nature teach us about building better futures? In this episode of Possible Futures, Gary sits down with Robert Suarez, Fellow for Innovation at Singularity University, longtime IDEO design leader, and expert in biomimicry to explore how natural systems can inspire breakthrough innovation. This episode covers: - The childhood experiences that shaped Robert’s curiosity - How biomimicry helps us design regenerative, circular systems - Why organizational design is at the heart of innovation- Humane technology, AI as a creative tool, and the risks of outsourcing innovation - His vision for the possible futures of design, work, and human creativity

3. 

   20 Aug 2025TRANSCRIPT

   Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom on How Space Must Be Democratized | Singularity University

   Emeline Pat Dahlstrom, co-founder of Space Limited and coordinator of the Global Space Enablers Network, breaks down how access to space is shifting from government-only to truly global. We trace the inflection point from smallsats (Planet) to today’s open satellite data, why ecosystem-building matters, and how countries and founders can plug in. Emily contrasts an “Elysium” outcome with a Star Trek vision, and shares practical ways students, operators, and policymakers can get involved now. If you care about earth-impacting applications (GPS/banking, climate, agriculture), this episode maps what’s coming next.

4. 

   13 Aug 2025TRANSCRIPT

   Darlene Damm on How to Change the World—And Make It Work

   Join us for an inspiring conversation with Darlene Damm, a fellow for impact at Singularity University, whose career spans decades of solving “wicked problems” in some of the world’s most challenging environments. From cofounding drone delivery networks for healthcare to launching global competitions that democratized space innovation, Darlene has shown how bold ideas—paired with the right teams—can create lasting change. Darlene’s journey includes roles with Ashoka, the World Food Programme, and exponential startups, as well as work in Asia helping communities rebuild and thrive. In this episode, she shares how her early life in a remote town shaped her empathy and determination, and how a neighbor who worked on the first liquid-fueled rockets sparked her lifelong passion for technology and impact. In this episode, Darlene delves into: Empowering Communities to Lead Change: Why the people most affected by a problem are often best suited to lead its solution, and how rethinking power structures can unlock innovation. From Drones to DIY Rockets: The origin stories of her groundbreaking ventures and what they reveal about turning constraints into creative breakthroughs. Future Forces Shaping Impact: How exponential technologies like digital twins and biotechnology will transform resource challenges and create new opportunities. Balancing Scarcity and Abundance: Why solving resource shortages is only half the challenge—and how overabundance creates new societal problems to tackle. Building Future-Ready Teams: What it takes to assemble diverse, empowered teams that blend lived experience, capital, and technology to solve global challenges. Making Impact Work Inside Big Organizations: Lessons on finding hidden impact in your current role, leveraging existing assets, and spinning out sustainable ventures. Discover how Darlene’s insights can help you turn big problems into bold opportunities, align doing well with doing good, and create your own possible future.

5. 

   6 Aug 2025TRANSCRIPT

   Nell Watson on How AI Is Already Rewiring Us

   In this thought-provoking episode, Gary A. Bolles sits down with Nell Watson—Singularity University faculty member, AI ethicist, and president of the European Responsible AI Office—for a wide-ranging conversation on the exponential future of artificial intelligence and the ethical design challenges that come with it. Nell shares how a childhood steeped in engineering and science fiction shaped her vision for a more human-centered technological future. She reflects on lessons from the Titanic, the ethics of design, and how our values often lag behind our innovations. Together, they explore: Why the real danger of AI isn’t Terminator—it’s the psychological and social rewiring already underway. How AI will soon become a “supernormal stimulus”—deeply engaging, ever-present, and emotionally irresistible. What it means to build AI that uplifts rather than addicts, inspires rather than replaces. The importance of embedding ethics not as an afterthought but as a design foundation—much like safety standards in aviation or food. How we must prepare children and society to thrive in a world where AI companions may one day be more influential than human ones. Why learning to “be a beginner again” is one of the greatest skills we’ll need in the AI age. Nell offers a hopeful vision—if we’re wise enough to teach AI to make us better, not just more efficient.

6. 

   30 Jul 2025TRANSCRIPT

   Nicholas Haan on How Technology is Redefining Governance

   In this episode, we delve into the transformative impact of exponential technologies on governance with Nicholas Haan, a Fellow for Governance at Singularity University. Explore how digital identities, blockchain, and AI are reshaping decision-making processes and accountability across societal groups, from nation-states to local communities. Discover the concept of network states and how they challenge traditional geographical boundaries, offering new models of governance driven by shared values and culture. Join us as we uncover the potential of these technologies to create more efficient, inclusive, and adaptive governance systems for a rapidly changing world.

7. 

   23 Jul 2025TRANSCRIPT

   Muriel Clauson Closs on the new Frontline Economy

   In this episode, we delve into the pivotal role of frontline workers in shaping the future economy. Join us as we explore insights from Muriel Clauson Closs, CEO and co-founder of Ant Hill (https://www.anthill.co/about), who shares her expertise on the evolving landscape of work. Discover how demographic shifts, technological advancements, and economic dynamics are transforming frontline roles, and learn about the opportunities and challenges these workers face in an ever-changing world. Tune in to understand how these essential workers are not only adapting but thriving in the face of automation and globalization.

8. 

   16 Jul 2025TRANSCRIPT

   Misha Byrne on Leadership in the Age of AI

   Join us for an insightful conversation with Misha Byrne, a fellow for leadership with Singularity University, known for his diverse background applying neuroscience to the world of work. Misha's extensive experience includes roles as head of consulting for Future Academy X, editor for NeuroPower, and work with the Queensland Brain Institute on cognitive genetics. He discusses how his academic journey in neuroscience and psychology, initially a placeholder, became a fascinating exploration of the brain, ultimately aligning perfectly with his current endeavors. In this episode, Misha delves into: The Power of Social Neuroscience: He explains that social neuroscience, his particular interest, challenges the traditional "Newtonian mechanical view" of human performance. Instead, it emphasizes that humans are inherently social creatures and the brain is an open system, constantly influenced by our environment and interactions. This perspective offers crucial insights into team performance, culture, leadership, resilience, adaptability, and innovation mindsets. Redefining Leadership in the AI Era: Misha defines leadership as the ability to bring people together around purposeful outcomes, balancing individual and community needs, and creating an environment that elicits the best in each person. He stresses the critical importance of intentionality and self-awareness for leaders, especially in a rapidly changing world, arguing that leaders must be "self-authoring" and anchor their leadership in core values. Navigating the Empathy Gap: A significant concern Misha highlights is the "empathy gap" emerging from increased screen time. He notes that analytical tasks performed on screens can draw blood flow away from empathy systems in the brain, potentially leading to increased transactionality and distance within teams. He expresses hope that future consumer neurotech will help build self-awareness and keep technology in service of human connection. The Future of Teams (2035): Misha envisions future teams as fractional, dynamic, and rapidly changing. As automation trivializes many operational tasks, human collaboration will shift towards sensing the outside world, making judgment calls based on values, and resolving complex edge cases. Teams will likely consist of adaptable generalists who can quickly "swarm" around high-purpose tasks, fostering high-performance teaming in as little as an hour, rather than a months-long journey. He emphasizes leveraging social neuroscience to rapidly build trust and belonging by addressing universal human needs like psychological safety. Understanding and Expanding Mindspan: Drawing on concepts from Dr. Tiffany Vora, Misha introduces "Mindspan" as a crucial complement to lifespan and health span. Mindspan focuses on preserving, extending, and expanding the beloved aspects of one's own mind—the unique human consciousness and wisdom. He encourages intentionality in curating one's cognition and continuously growing one's perspective of self and the world. Actionable Advice for Aspiring Leaders: Misha offers two core practices: leading self through observation, awareness, and understanding how to show up in "good shape", and leading others with humility, by directly asking team members what they need to achieve their potential and listening deeply for themes. Discover how these insights can empower you to lead effectively in an exponentially changing world and cultivate a future rich with purposeful connection and expanded human potential.

9. 

   9 Jul 2025TRANSCRIPT

   Andra Keay on the New Rules for Life with Autonomous Machines

   In this conversation, Gary A. Bolles and Andra Keay explore the evolution of robotics, its impact on society, and the future of work. They discuss the early influences that shaped Andra's career, the growth of robotics in Silicon Valley, and the ethical considerations surrounding the development of robots. The conversation also touches on the potential futures of robotics, including its integration into daily life and agriculture, the dynamics of job displacement, and the importance of establishing guardrails for responsible robotics development. Takeaways Robots can be seen as the closest things to aliens. The integration of robots into society requires ethical considerations. Investment in robotics has significantly increased since 2015. Robotics 2.0 represents a shift towards more autonomous and mobile robots. Humanoid robots may not be necessary for all applications. Automation can lead to new job creation rather than job loss. Guardrails are essential for the safe deployment of robots. Community engagement is crucial in the development of robotics. The future of work will be more human-centric with the aid of robots. Redefining work in an automated world presents new opportunities.

10. 

    2 Jul 2025TRANSCRIPT

    Kyle Hermans on The Power of Purpose in an Exponential World

    Singularity University Fellow Kyle Hermans discusses purpose in an exponential world with host Gary A. Bolles, exploring how individuals and organizations can cultivate meaning amidst constant disruption in this interview.

11. 

    25 Jun 2025TRANSCRIPT

    Jaya Baloo on the Future of Cyber Threats and Human Trust

    Jaya Baloo, Singularity University fellow, explores the future of cyber threats, lawful surveillance, and quantum computing, emphasizing the critical role of human trust and adaptation in cybersecurity, in this interview.

12. 

    18 Jun 2025TRANSCRIPT

    Dr. Tiffany Vora on Biotech and Humanity’s New Operating System

    Dr. Tiffany Vora discusses programmable biology, shifting from lifespan to healthspan, and thriving in designed ecosystems with host Gary Bolles, highlighting biotech's revolutionary potential in this interview.

13. 

    11 Jun 2025TRANSCRIPT

    Aaron Frank on the Real Promise—and Risk—of Immersive Tech

    Aaron Frank and host Gary Bolles examine the promises and pitfalls of immersive technology, including virtual worlds and digital twins, while considering the impact on humanity and the future in this interview.

Inside a recent episode

AI, Mobility & The Near Future with Carlo van de Weijer | Singularity University

Published 4 Sept 2025 · Transcript excerpt

[…] And what are some of the ways that decision makers should start to think about how they can get their arms around these technologies to be able to leverage them and to get the best advantage from them? Yeah, that's an important question. And indeed, some things move much faster than we think, and the other ones don't come by far as fast as we hope them to come. Often because it's a solution looking for a problem. There are a lot of technology developments that actually do not really solve a problem, and that's also often forgotten. But yeah, there are some things changing that you shoot and raise, mainly actually for decision makers, because what you now see is that all this technology not only improves your productivity, which they love, obviously, but the other thing is also that can also improve the quality of your organization. […]

Who has been a guest on Possible Futures Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Kyle Hermans
• Jaya Baloo
• Dr Tiffany Vora
• Aaron Frank

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

8,712,226

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 59 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

81

Social presence

0

YouTube

93

Engagement

0

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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