In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we continue our conversation with technologist and author Daniel Doll-Steinberg, Co-Founder of EdenBase. This is part two of a two-part series exploring the societal transformations driven by six foundational technologies: AI, quantum computing, smart data (blockchain), always-on communications, immersive tech, and self-replicating systems. While part one focused on the technologies themselves, this episode zooms out to examine their global ripple effects—touching on geopolitics, economic inequality, cyber warfare, and the potential for techno-authoritarianism. Daniel also shares how developing countries may have an opportunity to get ahead by embracing new technologies, and why the next global superpowers may not be determined by industrial strength, but by who controls AI and quantum systems.

Key Points:

• Cyber Conflicts and Technological Arms Races Are Already Underway:
• The global competition over AI and quantum computing is not just economic, it's geopolitical. Daniel warns that we may already be engaged in a low-grade cyber war, where attacks on infrastructure and digital retaliation could escalate rapidly. He compares it to the nuclear arms race, but with fewer rules and far more participants.
• Tech May Displace Currency, Labor, and Democracy Itself:
• As technologies scale, traditional economic and political systems may struggle to keep up. If human labor becomes obsolete in many sectors, what happens to money? And if fear, inequality, or climate-driven instability take hold, will populations turn to authoritarian solutions for order and security?
• Now Is the Time to Engage, Before Systems Are Locked In:
• Daniel encourages listeners to stay involved, from understanding AI’s built-in biases to giving feedback and influencing tech development. He outlines five traits of the tech-driven future: persistent, personalized, immersive, predictive, and directed, and stresses that even small individual actions today can help shape a more inclusive tomorrow.
• Daniel Doll-Steinberg, Author of Unsupervised, LinkedIn, Co-Founder of EdenBase, LinkedIn

Lisa Ann Pinkerton, Earthlings 2.0 Host, CEO of Technica Communications, and Founder of Women in Cleantech and Sustainability, LinkedIn

🚀 Calling all Earthlings…  

Visit our website for more episodes!

Sign up to our newsletter for the latest news on the most exciting technology and research shaping our futures! 

We want to learn more about you! It’ll take just a few moments to complete our survey. Thank you for helping us make your listening experience the best it can be!

Are you new to Earthlings 2.0 and don’t know where to get started? Check out our Life at 3C episode on our website

Thanks for tuning in! If you like what we’re doing over at Earthlings 2.0, you can support us by heading over to our Patreon Page.

Let’s stay connected! Follow Earthlings 2.0 Socials for the latest updates and news: 

• Follow us on LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram 
• Follow us on our Facebook Page
• Follow us on X 

Thanks to Resource Labs for having us on the network!