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

Modem Futura

In this episode that features the shortest cold open to date, Sean face-plants the introduction hard with a good laugh. Sean and Andrew quickly shift into a deep dive on the state of AI-innovation by navigating the complexities of AI literacy, cultural responsiveness, and educational reform. Drawing on the launch of OpenAI Academy and insights from Andrew's keynote address from the Yidan Prize Conference, they question how rapid innovation cycles can be harnessed responsibly while warning that society risks chaos if change outpaces our readiness. Using a driving lesson metaphor, they illustrate the importance of structured guidance in mastering new technologies and underscore the urgency of adapting educational systems to nurture creativity, curiosity, and meaningful human engagement. Ultimately, they explore how concepts like post-scarcity and universal basic income might reshape our understanding of work and value creation, pointing to a future where AI transforms both our economic and human potential.

Links:

• Yidan Prize
• Finland's Universal Basic Income experiment - initial results [World Economic Forum]
• Finland's basic-income trial found people were happier, but weren't more likely to get jobs [World Economic Forum]

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Modem Futura is a production of the Future of Being Human initiative at Arizona State University. Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. To learn more about the Future of Being Human initiative and all of our other projects visit - https://futureofbeinghuman.asu.edu

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Host Bios:

Sean M. Leahy, PhD - ASU Bio
Sean is an an internationally recognized technologist, futurist, and educator innovating humanistic approaches to emerging technology through a Futures Studies approach. He is a Foresight Catalyst for the Future of Being Human Initiative and Research Scientist for the School for the Future of Innovation in Society and Senior Global Futures Scholar with the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at Arizona State University.

Andrew Maynard, PhD - ASU Bio
Andrew is a scientist, author, thought leader, and Professor of Advanced Technology Transitions in the ASU School for the Future of Innovation in Society. He is the founder of the ASU Future of Being Human initiative, Director of the ASU Risk Innovation Nexus, and was previously Associate Dean in the ASU College of Global Futures.

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