Polymathic AI and the Polycrisis: Navigating the Challenges of the Polyscene Era

Welcome to the Polyscene: A World of Polymaths, Polycrises, and Polyactors

Sometimes, a simple word can unlock a whole new way of seeing the world. Thomas Friedman’s musings on Polymathic Artificial Intelligence and its intersection with our global polycrisis feels like one of those moments - a flash of insight that resonates deeply, sparking connections across disciplines, challenges, and, yes, crises.

Imagine this: a world where artificial intelligence doesn’t just excel at one thing - playing chess, predicting protein folding, or writing Shakespearean sonnets -but can master everything. That’s the Holy Grail of Polymathic AI. Think of it as an AI Renaissance man, comfortably conversing about Mozart’s compositions while simultaneously solving quantum chemistry problems and forecasting the next agricultural breakthrough. It’s the dream of high-dimensional thinking - where silos dissolve, and every piece of the puzzle connects seamlessly.

But hold that thought. Enter polycrisis. The word itself sounds ominous, like a chorus of global challenges harmonizing in dissonance. Climate change doesn’t just warm the planet; it cascades -wrecking crops, fueling migrations, and destabilizing nations. Suddenly, we’re not dealing with a single crisis anymore but a swirling storm of interconnected challenges, each amplifying the next. It’s a mess, really.

And as Friedman points out, the polycrisis isn’t unfolding in isolation. The world is now teeming with polyactors. These are not just the usual suspects -nation-states and their diplomats - but also a motley crew of superpowers, tech giants, rogue hackers, and individuals with global influence. Imagine trying to navigate a chessboard where the rules change mid-game, the players multiply, and the pieces have minds of their own. That’s the challenge for leaders like Tony Blinken (current US Secretary of State), who aren’t just grappling with geopolitics anymore - they’re wrestling with superintelligence, superstorms, and super-angry citizens.

The Polyscene Era: Multiplicity Redefining Our Future

So, where does this leave us? Friedman stitches it all together with a provocative proposition: the world has entered the polyscene. Not the post-Cold War era, not the age of globalization, but a time defined by multiplicity - of problems, actors, and potential solutions.

Let’s face it - the world isn’t getting any simpler. If anything, it feels like the opposite. Every global challenge, from climate change to economic instability, seems tied to a hundred other issues. It’s not just about solving one problem anymore; it’s about understanding how everything connects.

The risk is clear. If we don’t address these challenges in a proactive and collaborative way, they could quickly get out of hand. Think of it as a leaky boat in a storm - you can’t just patch one hole and hope for the best. You need a coordinated effort to keep the whole thing afloat.

You Tube Video Credit:  Intelligence-squared