The Great Progression: Peter Leyden on AI, Trump and the Next 25 Years

2026-05-01 · Source: Singularity Weblog · Field: Technology & Digital — Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Emerging Technologies & Innovation, Renewable Energy Systems · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, extended

Summary

Peter Leyden, a Silicon Valley futurist and author, discusses his forthcoming HarperCollins book, "The Great Progression, 2025 to 2050," which posits that the world is undergoing a "civilization-scale change" driven by three converging world-historic general-purpose technologies: AI, clean energy, and bioengineering. Leyden, known for co-authoring the iconic 1997 Wired cover story and book "The Long Boom," draws parallels between the current AI-driven transformation and the digital revolution of the 1990s, though he views AI's impact as significantly larger and faster due to existing digital infrastructure. He maintains an optimistic outlook, emphasizing that technology makes scarce resources abundant and democratizes access, citing examples like AI tutors and concierge doctors. Leyden also frames current political polarization in the US as an 80-year cycle of societal reinvention, where old systems are dismantled to create space for new, more abundant models.

Key takeaway

For Directors of AI/ML and strategic planners navigating rapid technological shifts, recognize that current disruptions, including political polarization, may signal a necessary "creative destruction" phase. Focus on leveraging AI, clean energy, and bioengineering for 10x improvements, rather than resisting change. Your leadership in adopting these technologies and fostering an "abundance mindset" can help shape the next societal paradigm, minimizing transitional costs and maximizing broad benefits.

Key insights

Three converging world-historic technologies are driving a civilization-scale change, creating an era of abundance and societal reinvention.

Principles

• Technology consistently transforms scarce, expensive resources into cheap, abundant ones.
• Societies undergo periods of reinvention approximately every 80 years, dismantling old systems for new ones.
• The current technological shift is faster and more impactful than previous digital revolutions.

Method

Leyden's method involves connecting historical patterns, geopolitical shifts, and technological advancements to forecast long-term societal transformations, emphasizing a "positive reframing" of current disruptions as necessary for future progress.

In practice

• Embrace AI as a "super tool" for 10x improvements in productivity and accessibility.
• Recognize political disruptions as potential clearings for new societal models.
• Focus on the positive potential of converging technologies like AI, clean energy, and bioengineering.

Topics

• The Great Progression
• Artificial Intelligence
• Clean Energy Technologies
• Bioengineering
• American Reinvention Cycles

Best for: Director of AI/ML, Executive, Consultant

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Singularity Weblog.