An Existential Tipping Point
Are We Ready for the Future?
January 20, 2025
Today, as the 47th President of the United States takes the oath of office, I’m watching with hope and questions that will define the rest of the 21st century. What kind of leadership will this new era bring? How will we tackle the defining challenges of our time? We hold the tools to solve humanity’s existential risk, and the stakes cannot be higher.
Artificial intelligence reshapes industries and redefines human potential, yet it evolves faster than our ethical frameworks. Biotech is rewriting the code of life, unlocking possibilities once confined to science fiction but raising profound moral dilemmas. Climate systems are teetering on irreversible tipping points, and global inequality is eroding trust when collaboration has never been more urgent.
We live through an existential tipping point—a moment when humanity’s greatest opportunities and risks converge. The choices we make today will ripple for generations, shaping not only the remainder of the 21st century but also the trajectory of the human species. This moment is a test of leadership, vision, and courage —qualities we have seen rise and falter in equal measure.
But what if this tipping point isn’t just a challenge? What if it’s an opportunity to reimagine what’s possible?
The Risks We Face
Artificial Intelligence: Henry Kissinger said: "Artificial intelligence has the potential to end history or to be the grandest human achievement." The rapid development of AI is reshaping industries from healthcare to national security, yet alignment with human values remains elusive. AI systems can perpetuate biases, concentrate power, and even act unpredictably in high-stakes scenarios without safeguards [ref. 1]. Consider ChatGPT’s advanced capabilities: its ability to compose, analyze, and predict is unparalleled, but its misuse could lead to a reality where misinformation spreads faster than truth. The absence of global AI governance is staggering. While the EU’s AI Act and the U.S.’s National AI Initiative offer frameworks, they remain fragmented. A unified, international regulatory approach is urgently needed.
Biotechnology: CRISPR and other gene-editing technologies have ushered in an age of biological control — a double-edged sword. In 2023, researchers used CRISPR to cure sickle cell anemia in a groundbreaking clinical trial, yet the same technology could enable rogue actors to engineer bioweapons [ref. 2]. Access to these technologies is uneven, and without equitable frameworks, biotech could widen the gap between the haves and have-nots.
Climate Change: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s 2023 report made it clear: we are running out of time. Global temperatures are on track to rise by 2.4°C by 2100, far beyond the Paris Agreement’s target of 1.5°C [ref. 3]. Despite progress in renewable energy, fossil fuel subsidies continue to dwarf investments in green innovation. The recent Colorado River crisis exemplifies how climate stressors exacerbate resource conflicts.
Social Fragmentation: The global trust deficit is reaching a breaking point. A 2024 Pew Research Center study found that only 34% of citizens in G20 countries trust their governments to "do the right thing most of the time." [ref. 4]. Rising polarization, fueled by economic disparity and algorithmic echo chambers, threatens the social cohesion necessary for collective action.
Nuclear Proliferation: As geopolitical tensions rise, the risk of nuclear weapons being used — whether intentionally or accidentally — is higher than at any point since the Cold War. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has set the Doomsday Clock at 90 seconds to midnight, the closest it’s ever been [ref. 5]. Strengthened treaties and global disarmament are urgent priorities.
Global Pandemics: The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragility of global health systems. Yet, it may only be a preview of what’s to come. Zoonotic diseases (transmitted from animals to humans) and lab-engineered pathogens pose ongoing threats. Investments in early detection systems, such as WHO’s Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources initiative, are vital to mitigating future outbreaks.
Space Governance: As commercial and national interests expand into space, the lack of comprehensive governance increases the risk of conflict, debris accumulation, and resource exploitation. The Artemis Accords provide a starting framework, but broader international agreements are needed to prevent chaos in the final frontier [ref. 6].
Economic Inequality: The wealth gap continues to widen. The top 1% of the global population owns nearly 46% of the world’s wealth, while billions live on less than $5.50 daily [ref. 7]. This disparity fuels social unrest and stymies collaborative efforts to address global challenges.
Resource Scarcity: From water shortages in megacities to the demand for rare earth metals for technology, resource scarcity is a growing concern. For instance, lithium mining for electric vehicles threatens ecological balance in key regions. [ref. 8]. Balancing innovation with sustainability is critical.
Misinformation and Trust Erosion: The digital age has enabled unprecedented connectivity and unparalleled misinformation. Algorithmic amplification of divisive content undermines democracy and exacerbates polarization. Companies must prioritize ethical AI use in content delivery, and governments must regulate disinformation without stifling free speech.
The Opportunities Before Us
History demonstrates that humanity can rise to extraordinary challenges. This moment could be our most defining yet. Starting today, we should address key existential risks through the following lens:
AI: Properly aligned, AI can accelerate breakthroughs in climate modeling, disease eradication, and equitable resource distribution. Imagine a world where AI augments human creativity rather than replacing it.
Biotech: Gene-editing technologies could transform agriculture, medicine, and environmental restoration. Lab-grown meat startups are reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing food security. With ethical guardrails, biotech could democratize access to life-saving innovations.
Climate: The renewable energy transition represents a $10 trillion economic opportunity over the next three decades [ref. 9]. Carbon capture initiatives like Climeworks’ direct air capture facilities are already demonstrating scalable solutions. Green hydrogen projects are transforming heavy industry, offering pathways to decarbonization.
Leadership: A tipping point demands bold, long-term leadership. Global initiatives like the Artemis Accords, which seek to establish governance for lunar exploration, show the promise of international collaboration when goals are shared. A renewed era of shared purpose and planetary stewardship must be the path forward.
The Role of Leadership
What’s holding us back isn’t a lack of technology or ideas. It’s a failure of imagination and courage in how we lead. We must ensure that key institutions are designed for a new era. Our built structures are optimized for incremental change, not exponential challenges. The Bretton Woods institutions served the post-WWII order; today’s challenges demand similarly visionary frameworks. We must ensure ethics are tightly integrated into innovation. Technology isn’t inherently good or bad — its impact depends on the values that guide it. We need leaders who prioritize ethics over efficiency and understand that progress must uplift humanity, not overshadow it. Lastly, we must relentlessly encourage global collaboration. No nation can tackle these challenges alone. Climate change doesn’t respect borders; neither should our solutions. A renewed commitment to multilateralism is essential.
Our existential tipping point isn’t just about survival. It’s about deciding the kind of world we want to build. If you are a thinker - question the assumptions underpinning our systems. Are we designing for the future or clinging to the past? If you are a builder - innovate with intention. Ensure your work aligns with humanity’s broader goals — not just return on investment. If you are a leader, champion long-term thinking and inspire collaboration across boundaries. Be the leader who rises to the moment, not the one who hesitates in the shadows.
The future doesn’t just happen — it’s something we create. The choices we make today will define generations to come. This is our existential tipping point, and we must rise to the challenge. Our children will judge our actions.
References:
Bender et al. (2021). "On the Dangers of Stochastic Parrots." Association for Computing Machinery. Link
Nature (2023). "CRISPR Breakthrough in Sickle Cell Anemia." Link
IPCC (2023). "Sixth Assessment Report." Link
Pew Research Center (2024). "Global Trust in Governance." Link
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (2024). "Doomsday Clock Statement." Link
NASA (2023). "The Artemis Accords." Link
Oxfam International. “Extreme inequality and essential services.” Link
USGS (2023). "Critical Minerals and Sustainability." Link
BloombergNEF (2023). "Economic Opportunities in Green Transitions." Link
Yonatan Raz-Fridman (“Yon”) is an entrepreneur with global recognition in immersive entertainment, educational technology, and consumer electronics as a founder of Supersocial and Kano. Kano was selected by Fast Company magazine as one of the world’s most innovative companies in consumer electronics and one of TIME Magazine's best inventions. Yon was named ‘One to Watch’ by Wired magazine, has been a speaker at leading conferences, including TED, Quartz, Wired, and Surge, and his work has been featured in renowned publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and USA Today. Follow Yon on Linkedin and X.
Disclaimer: An AI writing assistant has been used to help edit this letter.