A Mind-Bending Conversation with Peter Thiel

The billionaire Peter Thiel is unimpressed with our pace of innovation. In this episode, he critiques artificial intelligence, longevity science and space travel — and warns that our lack of progress could lead to catastrophic outcomes, including the emergence of the Antichrist.

• 01:19 - What does stagnation mean in 2025?
• 06:30 - Peter Thiel's case for more progress and innovation
• 11:30 - Does taking more scientific risk include life extension?
• 15:14 - Peter Thiel's political history
• 18:34 - Did Trump live up to Thiel's expectations?
• 25:10 - Does Elon Musk still want to go to Mars?
• 28:09 - How Thiel defines A.I.
• 33:20 - Is A.I. Too Modest An Ambition?
• 35:23 - How will the human race evolve? Should it?
• 41:53 - Thiel's critique of Silicon Valley
• 43:40 - Who is the real Antichrist?

(A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.)

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