@wdmacaskill.bsky.social
My current guesses for what viatopia looks like: material abundance, technological progress, coordination to avoid conflict, low catastrophic risk—plus preserving society-wide optionality, cultivating reflection, and structuring deliberation so better ideas win out.
January 8, 2026 at 10:09 AM
My current guesses for what viatopia looks like: material abundance, technological progress, coordination to avoid conflict, low catastrophic risk—plus preserving society-wide optionality, cultivating reflection, and structuring deliberation so better ideas win out.
A viatopia is a state of society that is *on track* for a near-best future, whatever that might look like. A teenager might not know what they want to do with their life, but know that a good education keeps their options open.
January 8, 2026 at 10:09 AM
A viatopia is a state of society that is *on track* for a near-best future, whatever that might look like. A teenager might not know what they want to do with their life, but know that a good education keeps their options open.
The transition to superintelligence will present many problems all at once, and may need to choose between very different solutions to the same problems. We need a way to prioritise and plan.
So I want to introduce a third framing: viatopia.
So I want to introduce a third framing: viatopia.
January 8, 2026 at 10:09 AM
The transition to superintelligence will present many problems all at once, and may need to choose between very different solutions to the same problems. We need a way to prioritise and plan.
So I want to introduce a third framing: viatopia.
So I want to introduce a third framing: viatopia.
The main alternative is “protopianism”: solving the most urgent problems one by one, not guided by any big-picture view of society’s long-run course. I prefer protopianism to utopianism, but it gives up too much.
January 8, 2026 at 10:08 AM
The main alternative is “protopianism”: solving the most urgent problems one by one, not guided by any big-picture view of society’s long-run course. I prefer protopianism to utopianism, but it gives up too much.
Almost no one has articulated a positive vision for what comes after superintelligence. What should we be trying to aim for?
Utopias from history look clearly dystopian to us, and we should expect the same for our own attempts. We don’t know enough, or have the authority, to decide the details.
Utopias from history look clearly dystopian to us, and we should expect the same for our own attempts. We don’t know enough, or have the authority, to decide the details.
January 8, 2026 at 10:08 AM
Almost no one has articulated a positive vision for what comes after superintelligence. What should we be trying to aim for?
Utopias from history look clearly dystopian to us, and we should expect the same for our own attempts. We don’t know enough, or have the authority, to decide the details.
Utopias from history look clearly dystopian to us, and we should expect the same for our own attempts. We don’t know enough, or have the authority, to decide the details.
Leisure & Social:
* How often do you socialize with friends?
* Do you take any vacations/holidays per year?
* How many hours of leisure time do you have per day?
* How often do you socialize with friends?
* Do you take any vacations/holidays per year?
* How many hours of leisure time do you have per day?
December 25, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Leisure & Social:
* How often do you socialize with friends?
* Do you take any vacations/holidays per year?
* How many hours of leisure time do you have per day?
* How often do you socialize with friends?
* Do you take any vacations/holidays per year?
* How many hours of leisure time do you have per day?
* What's your highest level of education completed?
* Are you currently learning any new skills or pursuing education?
Living Situation:
* Do you live in an urban, suburban, or rural area?
* How many people share your living space?
* Do you have reliable electricity, water, and internet?
* Are you currently learning any new skills or pursuing education?
Living Situation:
* Do you live in an urban, suburban, or rural area?
* How many people share your living space?
* Do you have reliable electricity, water, and internet?
December 25, 2025 at 10:22 AM
* What's your highest level of education completed?
* Are you currently learning any new skills or pursuing education?
Living Situation:
* Do you live in an urban, suburban, or rural area?
* How many people share your living space?
* Do you have reliable electricity, water, and internet?
* Are you currently learning any new skills or pursuing education?
Living Situation:
* Do you live in an urban, suburban, or rural area?
* How many people share your living space?
* Do you have reliable electricity, water, and internet?
* Do you have regular contact with extended family?
Health & Lifestyle:
* How would you rate your overall health? (excellent/good/fair/poor)
* How often do you exercise per week?
* Do you have access to healthcare when needed?
* How many hours of sleep do you typically get?
Education & Growth:
Health & Lifestyle:
* How would you rate your overall health? (excellent/good/fair/poor)
* How often do you exercise per week?
* Do you have access to healthcare when needed?
* How many hours of sleep do you typically get?
Education & Growth:
December 25, 2025 at 10:22 AM
* Do you have regular contact with extended family?
Health & Lifestyle:
* How would you rate your overall health? (excellent/good/fair/poor)
* How often do you exercise per week?
* Do you have access to healthcare when needed?
* How many hours of sleep do you typically get?
Education & Growth:
Health & Lifestyle:
* How would you rate your overall health? (excellent/good/fair/poor)
* How often do you exercise per week?
* Do you have access to healthcare when needed?
* How many hours of sleep do you typically get?
Education & Growth:
* Do you have any retirement savings/pension?
* Can you handle a surprise expense of $1,000 (or equivalent) without borrowing?
Family & Relationships:
* What's your relationship status? (married/partnered/single/divorced)
* Do you have children? If so, how many?
* Can you handle a surprise expense of $1,000 (or equivalent) without borrowing?
Family & Relationships:
* What's your relationship status? (married/partnered/single/divorced)
* Do you have children? If so, how many?
December 25, 2025 at 10:22 AM
* Do you have any retirement savings/pension?
* Can you handle a surprise expense of $1,000 (or equivalent) without borrowing?
Family & Relationships:
* What's your relationship status? (married/partnered/single/divorced)
* Do you have children? If so, how many?
* Can you handle a surprise expense of $1,000 (or equivalent) without borrowing?
Family & Relationships:
* What's your relationship status? (married/partnered/single/divorced)
* Do you have children? If so, how many?
* What type of work do you do? (employed/self-employed/not working)
* How many hours per week do you typically work?
* Do you have job security/stable income?
Financial Situation:
* Do you own or rent your home?
* Are you able to save money regularly?
* How many hours per week do you typically work?
* Do you have job security/stable income?
Financial Situation:
* Do you own or rent your home?
* Are you able to save money regularly?
December 25, 2025 at 10:22 AM
* What type of work do you do? (employed/self-employed/not working)
* How many hours per week do you typically work?
* Do you have job security/stable income?
Financial Situation:
* Do you own or rent your home?
* Are you able to save money regularly?
* How many hours per week do you typically work?
* Do you have job security/stable income?
Financial Situation:
* Do you own or rent your home?
* Are you able to save money regularly?
And if you want to try it for yourself, here’s a prompt (put the answers in after the questions):
I’m a [age] [gender] who lives in [location].
Please consider my answers to these questions, and tell me how I compare to both global and developed country averages:
Work & Career:
Please consider my answers to these questions, and tell me how I compare to both global and developed country averages:
Work & Career:
December 25, 2025 at 10:22 AM
And if you want to try it for yourself, here’s a prompt (put the answers in after the questions):
I’m a [age] [gender] who lives in [location].
Please consider my answers to these questions, and tell me how I compare to both global and developed country averages:
Work & Career:
Please consider my answers to these questions, and tell me how I compare to both global and developed country averages:
Work & Career:
If you want to turn that giving into a regular commitment, consider taking the 10% Pledge — it’s among the single highest-impact, and most personally fulfilling, choices you can make in your life.
www.givingwhatwecan.org/pledge
www.givingwhatwecan.org/pledge
The 🔸10% Pledge
Join the 🔸10% Pledge community by taking a giving pledge to donate a meaningful portion of your income to help improve the lives of others.
www.givingwhatwecan.org
December 25, 2025 at 10:22 AM
If you want to turn that giving into a regular commitment, consider taking the 10% Pledge — it’s among the single highest-impact, and most personally fulfilling, choices you can make in your life.
www.givingwhatwecan.org/pledge
www.givingwhatwecan.org/pledge
I’m doing a matching scheme, with a list of great charities, below. Thanks so much to everyone who’s donated so far - currently GiveDirectly and the EA Animal Welfare Fund are in the lead!
x.com/willmacaski...
x.com/willmacaski...
December 25, 2025 at 10:22 AM
I’m doing a matching scheme, with a list of great charities, below. Thanks so much to everyone who’s donated so far - currently GiveDirectly and the EA Animal Welfare Fund are in the lead!
x.com/willmacaski...
x.com/willmacaski...
And if you’re feeling privileged this year, consider making a donation to an effective charity - we give gifts to our friends and family at Christmas, so why not give a gift to the world, too.
December 25, 2025 at 10:22 AM
And if you’re feeling privileged this year, consider making a donation to an effective charity - we give gifts to our friends and family at Christmas, so why not give a gift to the world, too.
- Leisure: 4 weeks vacation and daily socializing is extraordinary. Most get a few days for religious holidays only.”
I recommend you try it, too.
I'd appreciated my privilege in income, but hadn't thought as much about the nature of my work, my health, or my leisure time.
I recommend you try it, too.
I'd appreciated my privilege in income, but hadn't thought as much about the nature of my work, my health, or my leisure time.
December 25, 2025 at 10:22 AM
- Leisure: 4 weeks vacation and daily socializing is extraordinary. Most get a few days for religious holidays only.”
I recommend you try it, too.
I'd appreciated my privilege in income, but hadn't thought as much about the nature of my work, my health, or my leisure time.
I recommend you try it, too.
I'd appreciated my privilege in income, but hadn't thought as much about the nature of my work, my health, or my leisure time.
- Education: PhD holders represent <1% globally. Most have primary or secondary education only.
- Health: "Excellent" health with regular exercise is rare when most do physical labor with limited healthcare access.
- Health: "Excellent" health with regular exercise is rare when most do physical labor with limited healthcare access.
December 25, 2025 at 10:22 AM
- Education: PhD holders represent <1% globally. Most have primary or secondary education only.
- Health: "Excellent" health with regular exercise is rare when most do physical labor with limited healthcare access.
- Health: "Excellent" health with regular exercise is rare when most do physical labor with limited healthcare access.
- Financial: Your ability to save monthly puts you far above the ~90% who live paycheck to paycheck or in debt. Most can't handle a $400 emergency.
- Housing: You own property (even 1/4) while most rent cramped spaces or live in extended family homes.
- Housing: You own property (even 1/4) while most rent cramped spaces or live in extended family homes.
December 25, 2025 at 10:22 AM
- Financial: Your ability to save monthly puts you far above the ~90% who live paycheck to paycheck or in debt. Most can't handle a $400 emergency.
- Housing: You own property (even 1/4) while most rent cramped spaces or live in extended family homes.
- Housing: You own property (even 1/4) while most rent cramped spaces or live in extended family homes.
- Work: Most men globally work manual labor, informal economy, or small trade with no job security. Your stable research position is extremely rare.
December 25, 2025 at 10:22 AM
- Work: Most men globally work manual labor, informal economy, or small trade with no job security. Your stable research position is extremely rare.
I thought I understood global inequality well, but I still found the results quite moving. The usual AI sycophancy and reassurance was gone:
“Compared to Global Averages, you're in an exceptionally privileged position - likely in the top 1-3% globally:
“Compared to Global Averages, you're in an exceptionally privileged position - likely in the top 1-3% globally:
December 25, 2025 at 10:22 AM
I thought I understood global inequality well, but I still found the results quite moving. The usual AI sycophancy and reassurance was gone:
“Compared to Global Averages, you're in an exceptionally privileged position - likely in the top 1-3% globally:
“Compared to Global Averages, you're in an exceptionally privileged position - likely in the top 1-3% globally:
Merry Christmas, everyone!
This year, I’m feeling grateful to be me.
Recently, I gave some information about myself to Claude, and asked how I compared to other 38-yr-old men in the world.
This year, I’m feeling grateful to be me.
Recently, I gave some information about myself to Claude, and asked how I compared to other 38-yr-old men in the world.
December 25, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Merry Christmas, everyone!
This year, I’m feeling grateful to be me.
Recently, I gave some information about myself to Claude, and asked how I compared to other 38-yr-old men in the world.
This year, I’m feeling grateful to be me.
Recently, I gave some information about myself to Claude, and asked how I compared to other 38-yr-old men in the world.
The case study of Intelsat is here:
www.forethought.org/research/in...
www.forethought.org/research/in...
Intelsat as a Model for International AGI Governance
If there is an international project to build artificial general intelligence (“AGI”), how should it be designed? Existing scholarship has looked to historical models for inspiration, often suggesting the Manhattan Project or CERN as the closest analogues. But AGI is a fundamentally general-purpose technology, and is likely to be used primarily for commercial purposes rather than military or scientific ones.
This report presents an under-discussed alternative: Intelsat, an international organization founded to establish and own the global satellite communications system. We show that Intelsat is proof of concept that a multilateral project to build a commercially and strategically important technology is possible and can achieve intended objectives—providing major benefits to both the US and its allies compared to the US acting alone. We conclude that ‘Intelsat for AGI’ is a valuable complement to existing models of AGI governance.
www.forethought.org
August 15, 2025 at 3:46 PM
The case study of Intelsat is here:
www.forethought.org/research/in...
www.forethought.org/research/in...
The risk from AI-enabled coups in particular is detailed at length in:
www.forethought.org/research/ai...
www.forethought.org/research/ai...
AI-Enabled Coups: How a Small Group Could Use AI to Seize Power
The development of AI that is more broadly capable than humans will create a new and serious threat: *AI-enabled coups*. An AI-enabled coup could be staged by a very small group, or just a single person, and could occur even in established democracies. Sufficiently advanced AI will introduce three novel dynamics that significantly increase coup risk. Firstly, military and government leaders could fully replace human personnel with AI systems that are *singularly loyal* to them, eliminating the need to gain human supporters for a coup. Secondly, leaders of AI projects could deliberately build AI systems that are *secretly loyal* to them, for example fully autonomous military robots that pass security tests but later execute a coup when deployed in military settings. Thirdly, senior officials within AI projects or the government could gain *exclusive access* to superhuman capabilities in weapons development, strategic planning, persuasion, and cyber offense, and use these to increase the
www.forethought.org
August 15, 2025 at 3:46 PM
The risk from AI-enabled coups in particular is detailed at length in:
www.forethought.org/research/ai...
www.forethought.org/research/ai...
Video podcast here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMF...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMF...
Survival is Insufficient: on Better Futures, with Will MacAskill | ForeCast
Will MacAskill discusses his new research series ‘Better Futures’.➡️ Read the papers at forethought.org/research/better-futures.00:00:00 Intro00:02:38 Surviv...
www.youtube.com
August 15, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Video podcast here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMF...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMF...
Essay here:
www.forethought.org/research/ho...
www.forethought.org/research/ho...
How to Make the Future Better: Concrete Actions for Flourishing
Forethought outlines concrete actions for better futures: prevent post-AGI autocracy, improve AI governance.
www.forethought.org
August 15, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Essay here:
www.forethought.org/research/ho...
www.forethought.org/research/ho...