Sapienship: Ensuring Responsible Tech And Innovative Education For All

Sapienship is a multidisciplinary organisation established in 2019 by Yuval Noah Harari and Itzik Yahav. The forward-thinking social impact organisation is dedicated to advocating for global responsibility by addressing the most pressing challenges of our time through education, storytelling, and community engagement.

As the technology evolves at lightning speed, the possibilities of co-existence of an AI-driven world with humanity increase exponentially. At this pivotal point of exploration, experts debate if this intricate relationship is masterfully dissected.

After making an impact with his bestseller ‘Sapiens’, Yuval Noah Harari, whose profound understanding of history, society, and the human psyche offers a unique lens through which to view the digital age. His pioneering initiative, Sapienship, examines the impact of artificial intelligence on our social fabric and existential narratives. 

Sapienship, a multidisciplinary, forward-thinking, and social impact organisation caters to the critical question: as AI continues to evolve, capable of simulating human-like empathy and interaction, are we prepared to navigate the complex ethical and emotional challenges it brings? 

Sapienship: Origin, core values

The Sapienship was established in 2019 by Yuval Noah Harari, a historian and author known for his bestselling book Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, and Itzik Yahav. Their vision was to create a movement that addresses the most critical challenges facing humanity today. 

Sapienship is a community dedicated to promoting global responsibility and finding solutions to the issues that impact our collective future. Its mission is to inspire collective action and advance a deeper understanding of the challenges that threaten our future. 

By focusing on technological disruption, ecological collapse, and the threat of global conflict, Sapienship aims to bring people together to explore solutions and promote a more responsible and sustainable world.

The community highlights the importance of staying focused on the most crucial issues for humanity and being open to constructive criticism. These principles are not just theoretical; they are practical guidelines that shape how Sapienship engages with the world and aims to make a positive impact.

Sapienship is deeply concerned with reducing suffering, a belief in the importance of slowing down in a world that often moves too quickly, and a commitment to seeing reality clearly without being swayed by illusions. 

Sapienship also values inclusivity, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has a voice in global conversations. 

Sapienship: Addressing global challenges

Sapienship addresses three primary challenges that are shaping the future of our planet: technological disruption, ecological collapse, and the threat of global war. These challenges are not only interconnected but also require a multidisciplinary approach to find sustainable solutions.

Technological Disruption: In the era where artificial intelligence (AI), infotech, and bio-engineering are advancing rapidly, the Sapienship raises essential questions about responsibility. Who will take charge of the impact of these technologies? Sapienship seeks to highlight the potential consequences of technological advancements, advocating for the responsible management, regulation, and control of data in a manner that serves the greater good. By exploring models of accountability, Sapienship encourages a collective approach to mitigating the risks associated with AI and bio-engineering.

Ecological Collapse: The world is going through really bad ecological damage, and Sapienship is working hard to make people more aware of the urgent need for action. The community focuses on the possible results of not taking care of the environment and calls for leaders at the very top levels of government to take action to reduce climate change and harm to nature. Sapienship also looks at ways to encourage politicians and businesses to take care of the environment, so that the next generations have a planet where they can live.

Global War: The spreading and use of weapons of mass destruction pose a huge threat to humanity. Sapienship aims to highlight the massive impact a global war would have and emphasises the need to prevent an arms race. By looking for ways to influence those responsible for the spread of these weapons, Sapienship seeks to promote peace and prevent conflicts from getting worse.

How Sapienship Works?

Sapienship utilises a multidisciplinary approach to tackle these challenges by using the power of storytelling, education, and community engagement. These avenues enable Sapienship to connect with a wide audience, simplifying intricate concepts and making them actionable.

Storytelling

Sapienship understands the importance of storytelling in shaping human understanding and action. By creating stories that connect with people from different cultures and generations, Sapienship makes big ideas easy to understand and relatable. 

Their projects, like the "Unstoppable Us" children's book series and the "Sapiens: A Graphic History" series, are great examples of how storytelling can be used to teach and motivate action. These efforts not only give valuable insights into human history but also encourage readers to think carefully about the future.

Education

Education is really important to Sapienship. They have programs like the Sapienship Lab to help teachers, parents, and anyone who loves learning to educate the next generation about the big issues of the 21st century.

Sapienship Lab is a key initiative of the Sapienship, serving as a media hub for 21st-century educators and lifelong learners. The Lab provides a wide range of educational resources designed to support teachers, parents, and students in exploring the big challenges of the modern world.

At Sapienship Lab, the focus is on connecting global issues with the everyday lives of students. The Lab offers a variety of bite-sized content, including videos, quizzes, podcasts, and conversation starters, each accompanied by group activities. These resources cover a broad range of topics, from technology and climate change to history and personal agency.

Community Engagement

Sapienship believes in the power of community to make a difference. They use platforms like Sapienship Social Channels and Challenge 2050 to connect with people worldwide and encourage them to join the conversation about our future. These platforms offer a space for individuals and organisations to work together on solutions to upcoming challenges, promoting teamwork and unified action.

Key Projects by Sapienship

Sapienship is involved in several key projects that reflect its commitment to global responsibility. These projects span various domains, from education and storytelling to social impact and sustainable investments.

'Unstoppable Us' – Children's Book Series: This series of four big-history books, written by Yuval Noah Harari and illustrated by Ricard Zaplana Ruiz, aims to educate middle-grade readers about the epic story of humankind. Each volume explores a different stage in human history, from the cognitive revolution to the potential future of hacking humans. The books are accompanied by learning materials for partner schools worldwide, making them a valuable educational resource.

'Sapiens: A Graphic History' – Book Series: An innovative adaptation of Harari's bestselling book Sapiens into a graphic novel, this series presents the story of humankind visually and humorously. Co-written by Yuval Noah Harari and David Vandermeulen and illustrated by Daniel Casanave, the series is designed to engage a broad audience with its accessible and entertaining format.

Once Upon A.I.: This short film experiment pairs artificial intelligence with macro-historical storytelling. The film, which features over 260 images generated by 13 different AI algorithms, offers a unique perspective on the story of humankind, as seen through the lens of a machine. The voiceover script, inspired by Harari's work, adds a human touch to this innovative project.

'Sapiens' – The Animated Series: Currently in development, this animated comedy series for adults explores the entirety of human history through an epic detective story. Inspired by the Sapiens: A Graphic History series, the show promises to deliver a hilarious yet thought-provoking exploration of what it means to be human.

Sapiens Live – Immersive Experience: This mixed reality and live-action experience is designed to take audiences on a journey through the entire story of humankind in just one hour. Developed in collaboration with leading storytellers and designers, the show uses augmented reality and other tools to create an immersive experience that connects the past with the present and invites visitors to imagine the future.

Global Endorsements and Initiatives

Sapienship is not only a thought leader but also an active participant in global initiatives. Each year, the organisation endorses and supports outstanding global causes.

• Responsible Development of AI: In 2023, Sapienship played a pivotal role in raising awareness about the risks of advanced AI systems. Partnering with leading AI scientists and organisations, the organisation facilitated public conversations and highlighted the need for responsible AI development.
• United24: In response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Sapienship and its founders contributed to a campaign to protect the country’s electricity grid during winter. This initiative was part of a broader effort to support Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.
• UNICEF Ukraine: Sapienship also donated to UNICEF Ukraine, supporting humanitarian relief efforts during the war. The organisation’s commitment to global solidarity is evident in its support for international institutions like UNICEF, which play a crucial role in times of crisis.
• 2% More for Climate Change: In 2022, Sapienship called on global leaders to invest an additional 2% of Global GDP in preventing catastrophic climate change. The organisation believes that this investment is both feasible and necessary to save the planet from the worst effects of climate change.
• Sustainable Investments: Sapienship has made financial investments aimed at addressing the world’s most pressing challenges, with a focus on ecological sustainability. A significant portion of these investments is dedicated to advancements in animal-free food products, such as cultured meat and lab-grown milk.

Support for the World Health Organisation: In 2020, Sapienship donated $1 million to the World Health Organisation (WHO) to support its efforts in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. The organisation’s support for the WHO reflects its belief in global cooperation and the importance of fact-based responses to crises.