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David Wood

@dw-2.bsky.social
336 followers 423 following 1K posts

Chair, London Futurists. Executive Director of LEV Foundation. Author or Lead Editor of 12 books about the future. PDA/smartphone pioneer. Symbian co-founder

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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
"End Times Fascism" is outstanding. At times, it left me enraged at the appalling duplicity and selfishness of the end times fascists who have recently attained far too much power and influence. But it also left me with hope for how these horrific forces can be overcome
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
4. Anticipating the state of longevity, 2031 5. Perspectives on Machine Consciousness 6. Cybercapitalism on Steroids Vs Socialist Utop-AI 7. Real-Time Delphi: AGI and Social Coherence 2035. Read the entire newsletter at londonfuturists.com/2026/10/11/s...
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
"Strengthening the spiral of technoprogressive trust" - the latest London Futurists newsletter: 1. Foresight provocateurs announced for 22nd October 2. The Vital Foundation – 25 revisions and counting 3. Recordings from The Technoprogressive Opportunity (cont)
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Wait - have we thought this through? Cartoon source: deadder.substack.com/p/evolution
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
There are three main objections to spending much time discussing the possibility of AI consciousness. In the latest London Futurists Podcast episode, "Perspectives on Machine Consciousness", show co-host Calum Chace provides robust responses to each objection
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
My talk provides evidence for each of 3 possible futures: one with increased frailty, one with only mediocre progress, and one with increasingly abundant healthy longevity. I also review 10 trends and levers that, if wisely managed, can change the probabilities of these outcomes
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
My slides are ready for my talk on Wednesday at the 2026 Madrid International Longevity Summit. My topic: "Anticipating the state of the longevity community and longevity science in 2031: Better foresight for better preparedness, better leverage, and a better future"
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
This is an extract from the event's description
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
The first half of the essay sets out the case why the world is badly in need of a revised set of foundational ethical principles. The second half proposes what that set could be, addressing Purpose, Evidence, Governance, and Caution, from a technoprogressive standpoint
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
A house without a foundation cannot stand. The foundations of our fast-changing technocapitalist society are corroding and crumbling. How can better foundations be established, that will enable sustainable superabundance for all? That's my latest essay, "The Vital Foundation"
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
"The Vital Foundation" - the latest from London Futurists: 1) Final set of speakers confirmed for this weekend’s event 2) Will economists destroy capitalism? 3) Anticipating Longevity Day 4) Mind Forward, 1st December 5) The case for technoprogressive ethical foundations
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
What hope for humanity when AI risk deniers show such little comprehension?
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Provocative analyses, radical prescriptions, and a hint of optimism despite all the warnings: all these feature in "Will economists destroy capitalism?" - the latest London Futurists Podcast episode, featuring renowned contrarian economist @profstevekeen.bsky.social
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Looking forward to sharing ideas at the VSIM:26 online conference at 8am UK time tomorrow (Wed 9th Sept). My topic: "The urgent need for a global technoprogressive ethical framework". For more details of this conference see vsim-conf.info
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
In a time of widespread cynicism about representative politics - when people often feel all they can do is to shake their fists at implacable powers on high - new sorts of community agency networks are showing that it's possible "to energise democracy and to democratise energy"
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
A good future requires timely governance of technology *and* timely evolution of our institutions, power structures, and narratives. That's a key tenet of the technoprogressive worldview - as will be discussed at Fleet Street's Ye Olde Cock Tavern on Thursday 27th August
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
"Rearranging the deck chairs" - the latest newsletter from London Futurists: 1. Disruptive Climate Futures 2. Biological War: A Scenario 3. Two more Economic Singularity episodes 4. PauseCon London 2026 5. Frontiers of Longevity Science (continued)
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
AI capability is advancing much faster than companies can redesign workflows, integrate systems, change regulations, retrain / replace staff, and alter established business practices. This creates a stock of economically useful but not-yet-exploited AI capability: the AI overhang
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Which tasks should be priorities for the UK government's AIEI (AI Economics Institute) and Minister of State for the Future of Work? Oliver Ritchie has some recommendations in the latest London Futurists Podcast episode, "Waking up economists"
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
There's also a back story on changing the image that illustrates the forthcoming conference, "The Technoprogressive Opportunity" luma.com/bk22gy6s
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
"On governance, trust, worldbuilding, and democracy" - the latest newsletter from London Futurists londonfuturists.com/2026/07/28/o...
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
I've made another attempt to write about my ambition for increasingly wide adoption of a set of what I've called "Design commitments for trustworthy technoprogressive governance". I'll welcome feedback!
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Technoprogressive worldbuilding goes beyond envisioning and applying technologies to boost individual freedoms. It's also concerned with the role of technology in improving social institutions, cities, shared energy systems, space policy, universal basic capital, and much more
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
I'm looking forward to speaking at the International Longevity Summit in Madrid, Sept 30 & Oct 1. My topic: "Three scenarios for longevity in 2031: Frail, Mediocre, or Abundant. And the nine trends that can change the outcome" www.longevitysummit.madrid
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
In their own distinct ways, these four books each make a striking clarion call: the public needs to pay a great deal more attention to the enormous risks associated with the near-incomprehensible AI systems that a small number of companies are racing to create
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
The must-read book of the year about the catastrophic dangers of advanced AI, for each of the last four years (2023-2026)
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Please get in touch if you would like to offer an article to be published in the same series, addressing some of the general themes of the event
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
The article offers answers to four key questions: "for whom", "by whom", "by what process", and "for what purpose". It also proposes 28 draft "design commitments for trustworthy technoprogressive governance"
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Powerful AI and other emerging technologies are advancing faster than our ability to decide wisely how they should be used. If we can't trust experts, politicians, markets, public opinion - or AI itself - what comes next? That's the subject of my new essay, "Spiral of trust"
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
The latest new from London Futurists: 1) The Technoprogressive Opportunity: 15 speakers 2) Embracing Luma 3) The Future Self: Transhumanism, Technology, and Flourishing 4) Petition on deep reform of democracy 5) The third wave of philanthropy 6) Rupesh Mahandru, 1973-2026. Link below
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Here's an extract from the set of context-setting slides I have prepared for the London Futurists online gathering at 7:30pm UK time Thursday, "Citizens' Assembly for the Age of AI?" More info and RSVP at www.meetup.com/london-futur...
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
"Transhumanist narratives of hope and apprehension have become part of the collective imagination through which we envision, rehearse, and enact or prevent possible futures of the human condition" - an extract from the intro to the London Futurists webinar on Sat 20th June.
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
The petition anticipates that fast-accelerating AI will bring many acute stresses and strains to society, the economy, and to politics. At the same time, AI could bring major benefits in healthcare, science, education, and productivity.
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
An alarming gap is growing, between raw technological power and societal self-governance capability. Accordingly, a number of members of London Futurists are preparing to launch a national petition: "Call a Citizens’ Assembly to consider Stewardship Democracy for the age of AI"
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Released this morning on the London Futurists podcast: "The AI Automation Layoff Trap", where economists Gerry Tsoukalas and Brett Hemenway Falk make the case for introducing a "self-correcting tax" to deter companies from automating their operations too quickly
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
​How exactly would AI cause human extinction? Although many researchers think AI is an existential risk, specific scenarios (threat models) vary considerably. To discuss this further, join with the Existential Risk Observatory this Saturday evening at the Trafalgar Tavern, Greenwich
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
I'm looking forward to giving a guest lecture today, "The future of fertility in an age of AI and transhumanism", for the class led by Professor Joyce Harper at UCL's Institute for Women's Health
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
The first set of speakers has been announced for "The Technoprogressive Opportunity: The future of ethics and emerging technology" - a conference taking place in London on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th September, co-hosted by Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies and London Futurists
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
You can find more details and the Zoom registration link on this page: cybsoc.org/events.html
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
My slides are ready for this Wednesday's free-to-attend Cybernetics Live webinar, from 5pm UK time, "Anticipating the human and social consequences of next generation AI - before it's too late"
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
How can democracy be reformed, before it is too late? That's the question which Tony Czarnecki, Managing Partner of Sustensis, will be exploring in the London Futurists webinar on Saturday 30th May - where he will champion a new type of democracy: Civil Stewardship Democracy. Link in first comment
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Among the guests who have already signed up for Thursday's lunchtime pub get-together are two more from the "Global Gurus" list of the world's top 30 professional futurists. Don't miss the chance to join this gathering to exchange insights and debate forthcoming scenarios (link in the first comment)
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
The latest newsletter from London Futurists covers: 1.) Lunch gathering with Brett King and Dr Julia Michelin (Thurs May 14) 2.) Cybernetics Society live online seminar (Wed May 20) 3.) Update on plans for The Technoprogressive Opportunity (Sept 19-20)...
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
If human labour is increasingly displaced by advanced automation, the balance of labour and capital will be fundamentally changed, and both capitalism and governance will come under unprecedented pressures. Ted Shelton is the guest on the latest London Futurists podcast. Link is in the first comment
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Attempts to raise awareness about catastrophic and existential risk often seem to be ineffective or counterproductive. Listeners turn away, find excuses not to engage, or make only token gestures as a result. What's going on? That was the topic at yesterday's London Futurists conversation
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
There's a super line-up of speakers to lead the conversation at Wednesday's London Futurists online event "Talking about catastrophic and existential risks: Dos and Don'ts". For more details and to register to participate, see www.meetup.com/london-futur...
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
"Windfall Trust and the Economic Singularity": the first of a new subseries of episodes of London Futurists Podcast anticipating the forthcoming economic consequences of AI. This episode features Adrian Brown, Founder & Chief Executive of Windfall Trust londonfuturists.buzzsprout.com/2028982/epis...
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
My presentation at the online "Ensuring Safe and Responsible AGI" event today will cover four possible futures. From 5:30pm UK time. Free to attend. Details and registration luma.com/vjuw8t86?tk=...
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
This Saturday, join 3 authors from the recently published collection of essays "Technologies of the Future Self: An Ethics for Transhumanist Flourishing" in a Zoom webinar discussing the strengths & weaknesses of transhumanist narratives about future human flourishing www.meetup.com/london-futur...
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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Anyone in or near Berkeley on 2-3 May should consider attending BerkeleyCAL, to join a stellar gathering of scientists, technologists, and global thought leaders, in a collective exploration of the frontiers of aging, longevity science, and their broader societal impact
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