Azeem Azhar: Exponential Challenges of Exponential Technologies

Professor Werbach is joined by Azeem Azhar, a leading expert in exponential technologies, for a riveting conversation on the trajectory of AI, regulation, and the larger challenges of concentration in the tech sector. They traverse Azeem’s professional journey, highlighting the pivotal moments in AI development, such as the rise of deep learning, and discuss the implications for business leaders now at the helm of these potent tools. Drawing parallels with historical tech calamities, they examine the safety challenges inherent in large language models and how companies like Google and OpenAI juggle the race for innovation with the necessity for thorough testing. The conversation then delves into the murky waters of regulation and the tug-of-war between progress and control, with a spotlight on the EU's Digital Markets Act and its impact on global tech firms. 

Azeem Azhar is the author of the bestseller "Exponential: How Accelerating Technology is Leaving Us Behind and What to Do About It", which quickly became an Amazon bestseller in Geopolitics upon its release. As the founder of the data analytics firm PeerIndex, later acquired by Brandwatch, Azeem has a proven track record as an angel investor, with investments in over 30 startups, including early-stage companies in AI, renewable energy, and female healthtech. Some of his most notable interviews include discussions with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of Anthropic Dario Amodei, and legendary Silicon Valley investor Vinod Khosla. These conversations cover a wide range of topics, including the implications of AI on ownership of thoughts, the potential impact of AI on global inequality, and the need to change assumptions about conflict to avoid a second Cold War. His ability to break down complex technological concepts and their societal implications has earned him recognition as a global futurist and exponential thinker, making his contributions invaluable for understanding the rapidly evolving technological landscape. 

Exponential View, Azeem’s Substack and community

Azeem’s book The Exponential Age

Azeem and Sam Altman's Discussion

EU AI Act