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Building Resilient Futures

An age of rapid change requires resilient systems. By developing robust tools, technologies, and institutions, we work to solve humanity's critical challenges while strengthening society's foundations. Our mission is to ensure technological advancement creates stability and flourishing rather than disruption.
Image: Workers operating an aquaponic farm, Adobe Stock

Building resilient futures requires transcending current market-driven incentives that prioritize short-term gains over long-term stability. We must embark on a fundamental shift from reactive to proactive thinking, where we anticipate and prepare for future challenges rather than merely responding to present demands.

In an era of accelerating technological change, we must engineer resilience across all societal domains by developing technologies that address fundamental human needs, enhance security, and strengthen preparedness—even when immediate profitability isn't guaranteed. This encompasses everything from developing robust and decentralized technologies, monitoring and defending against threats, augmenting human capabilities, preserving knowledge, to fostering sound epistemics. Throughout this process, we must ensure that AI remains a tool, and that we use to unlock the positive potential of AI to enable and accelerate solutions to humanity's most pressing problems.

Sub-projects

Tool AI: Harness AI to Solve Societal Challenges

14 February 2024

As part of the Futures Program, we have opened two new funding opportunities to support research into the ways that artificial intelligence can be harnessed safely to make the world a better place.

Elders Open Letter on Long View Leadership

14 February, 2024

Open letter calling on world leaders to show long-view leadership on existential threats: The Elders, Future of Life Institute and a diverse range of co-signatories call on decision-makers to urgently address the ongoing impact and escalating risks of the climate crisis, pandemics, nuclear weapons, and ungoverned AI.

The Future of Life Award

2017-Present

The Future of Life Award honours individuals who, without having received much recognition at the time of their achievements, helped make today dramatically better than it might otherwise have been.

FLI presents each award winner with a $50,000 prize, generously funded by Skype co-founder Jaan Tallinn.

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