AI-generated summary
Esther, a prominent author, journalist, philanthropist, and businesswoman, embodies the values of pragmatism, clarity, and sincerity in her multifaceted work as an investor in health, biotechnology, and open government initiatives. As a pioneering woman in the traditionally male-dominated technology sector, she played a key role as a founding member of ICANN, contributing to the development of core Internet protocols. Her practical mindset has also led her to advise the Russian government on creating a new Silicon Valley, an opportunity that allowed her to train as a cosmonaut in Star City. Currently, Esther is deeply involved in Wellville, a philanthropic project aimed at promoting equitable well-being globally by addressing systemic issues like poverty and malnutrition.
Reflecting on the upheavals of 2020, Esther highlights the pandemic’s exposure of societal inequities and emphasizes the importance of training people not only in immediate health responses such as contact tracing and vaccination but also in broader self-care and education roles to support long-term recovery. She notes positive shifts such as the reduced travel among the wealthy, which may inspire better work-life balance for others. Esther is optimistic about the future, acknowledging that uncertainty is perpetual but believing in the potential for meaningful impact through innovation. She envisions breakthroughs particularly in the ethical training of Artificial Intelligences, paralleling this with the need for enhanced social support and investment in early childhood development to nurture resilience and active citizenship.
As 2021 comes to an end and with the pandemic still conditioning our lives, we want to remember the interview we did this spring with Esther Dyson.
Pragmatism, clarity and sincerity. These three values are distilled at first glance from the words with which this author, journalist, philanthropist and businesswoman has answered our interview about the future, and symbolize a large part of her work as an investor in the field of health, biotechnology or open government initiatives.
In a traditionally male sector such as technology, Esther has become a leading figure as a founding member of ICANN, the international agency that developed the main Internet protocols, and her determination and practicality have led her to be one of the advisors collaborating with the Russian government to establish a new Silicon Valley there. A circumstance that he has taken advantage of to spend half a year in Star City training as a cosmonaut.
So it could be said that Esther knows how to recognize, accept and overcome a good challenge. At the moment, Esther is immersed in a philanthropic project with a great impact on society: Wellville, which seeks to achieve equitable well-being for all.
2020 has been a year of abrupt inflection for humanity. Where have you seen the best reactions to the pandemic?
The best reactions are focused on fixing the situation that has led to so much needless suffering – in other words, poverty, malnutrition, racism and the like. That’s the work we’re fostering at Wellville. I am sorry for the deceased, but where I can make a difference is with the people who will live the future. Training people to contact tracing, administering vaccines, and so on, should also train them, more generally, to work in the future in a variety of self-care and education roles. Many people will have suffered long-term damage and will need humane care.
What things have positively surprised you?
What I am going to say is a trifle. Basically, that the rich, who traveled constantly, have discovered the happiness (and healthiness) of life without jet lag. Hopefully, some of them will also find ways to alleviate the challenges of shift work for those who can’t afford to work from home on the schedule that works best for them.
What innovations would you highlight in your sector or field of work?
There is the issue of the digital divide, although at the same time it has become much easier for citizens to attend live meetings that affect their lives – town hall plenums, collaborative platforms and the like, as well as sessions of Congress and the Senate… even impeachments! – No need to leave the house or look for someone to stay with the children. Now the trick is to make sure that they can have a voice and not just observe.
2021 will be a year full of uncertainties and also hopes. When do you trust that the great uncertainties (health, social, economic) will be cleared?
Never. We always think that we will reach “the end”, but that would only happen if we all died. As this is not the case, there will always be conflicts and struggles, as well as victories and margins for improvement.
What are your main motivations to continue at the foot of the cannon?
I’m doing something useful. I am a journalist and, therefore, somewhat incisive. But I know that being pessimistic leads to nothing, and thankfully, I’m optimistic that I can make a difference (through Wellville and some of my investments) in what we’ll bequeath to the next generation.
In what field do you think the most important innovations will arrive, or should a bet be made, in the coming years?
Here’s my big hope: that as we learn how to train Artificial Intelligences (AIs) and demand more transparency around their behavior, we will apply the same oversight and attention to the way we train, i.e., raise, our babies and children. This does not imply control, but social support and investment in child care, schools, health care (including mental health care) and that sort of thing. The early years of life can foster resilience, courage, and active participation, or they can destroy much of each child’s potential.
Fundador en The Way to Wellville
