A Philosophy of Planetary Computation: From Antikythera to Synthetic Intelligence

JANUARY 29, 2025

Long Now Foundation

As computation becomes planetary infrastructure, its myriad hybrid intelligences pose new challenges to fundamental philosophical questions. How does computation become more than a mere technology, but also the medium through which we ask existential questions about who, what and how we are?

A Philosophy of Planetary Computation: From Antikythera to Synthetic Intelligence

JANUARY 29, 2025

Long Now Foundation

Antikythera is a think tank reorienting planetary computation as a philosophical, technological, and geopolitical force. The think tank deploys design research to develop scenarios and thought experiments that advance the philosophy of technology.

Antikythera takes its name from the first known computer ー the antikythera mechanism ー which was an instrument for planetary orientation, navigation, prediction, and planning. The name serves as inspiration for investigations of computational technologies that reveal and accelerates planetary intelligence.

Antikythera researches the past, present, and future of planetary computation, developing scenarios through interdisciplinary Studios, Lectures, Salons and Books with partners across academia, industry, and civil society. Contributors are vastly interdisciplinary and work across design, technology, philosophy, engineering, international relations, social sciences, art and the humanities.

Antikythera was founded in 2022 and is directed by philosopher of technology Benjamin Bratton. The think tank uses design research to develop scenarios and thought experiments that advance the philosophy of technology through collaborations with foundations, think tanks, companies, academic institutes, and civil society organizations. Antikythera is based at the Berggruen Institute, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with offices in Los Angeles, Beijing, and Venice.

To support Antikythera or for any other inquiries, contact us.

A New Philosophy Of Planetary Computation

Benjamin Bratton

Introducing Antikythera, a new program to examine the implications of an unfolding radical philosophical event: the emergence of planetary-scale computation.

A New Philosophy Of Planetary Computation

Benjamin Bratton

Introducing Antikythera, a new program to examine the implications of an unfolding radical philosophical event: the emergence of planetary-scale computation.