Severed Minds: Brain Implants, AI, and the Future of Being Human

Artificial Intelligence

Severed Minds: Brain Implants, AI, and the Future of Being Human

Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard examine Apple TV+’s hit series Severance, using its mind-bending premise of surgically split consciousness to explore real-world questions around emerging science and technology, identity, and ethical responsibility. From the Modem Futura podcast.

The Legacy of Early 21st-Century Academia: A Foresight Report from 2100

The Legacy of Early 21st-Century Academia: A Foresight Report from 2100

AI on Campus: How Gen Z Is Redefining College with ChatGPT

In this deep dive of Modem Futura, Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard tackle the sensational claims surrounding the “de-extinction” of the dire wolf by Colossal Biosciences. From the Modem Futura podcast.

A new framework for guiding AI agent oversight

As AI agents become more prevalent and powerful, a new paper outlines a framework for better-understanding how to govern and regulate them. From the Future of Being Human Substack.

US and China Vie for AI Leadership in K-12 Education

Two new national plans promise to overhaul classrooms with AI. Here’s how the US and China differ – and overlap. From the Future of Being Human Substack.

Vibecasting: Studio Ghibli and AI Redefining Creativity and Intellectual Property

In this episode, Sean and Andrew navigate the complex landscape of generative AI image tools, using the new OpenAI image generator and its Studio Ghibli–style outputs as a springboard for broader ethical questions. From the Modem Futura podcast.

What does responsible innovation mean in an age of accelerating AI?

Reflections and provocations from a keynote given at the 2025 Yidan Prize Conference. From the Future of Being Human Substack.

When AI Takes the Wheel: Rethinking Education for a Post-Scarcity World

In this episode Sean and Andrew embark on a deep dive on the state of AI-innovation by navigating the complexities of AI literacy, cultural responsiveness, and educational reform. From the Modem Futura podcast.

Reimagining learning and education in an age of AI

Reflections and provocations from a keynote given at the 2025 Yidan Prize Conference. From the Future of Being Human Substack.

Tech Trends 2025: Exploring Futures of Living Intelligence

Grab your flip flops and beach gear and join is us on this laid-back spring break episode, Sean and Andrew cover Apple’s latest hardware announcements and dive into some of the big tech trends for 2025. From the Modem Futura podcast.