Read More ↓

MENU

Antikythera is a think tank reorienting planetary computation as a philosophical, technological, and geopolitical force. 

At some moments in history, philosophy outpaces technology. Today, technology has far outpaced theory. Antikythera develops a philosophy of technology to catch us up to the present. 

As Stanislaw Lem described, some technologies are instrumental, providing new tools through which to change the world, others are existential, revealing aspects of the world previously unknowable and changing our fundamental capacity to know the world. Computation is both.

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 accelerate planetary intelligence.  

Antikythera researches the past, present, and future of planetary computation, developing scenarios through interdisciplinary Studios, Salons and multimedia Publications. The program operates on a two-year cycle. In the first year, intensive design-research studios surface key ideas and speculations. In the second year, focused design-development studios and working groups deepen ideas and projects with partners across academia, industry, and civil society. Contributors are vastly interdisciplinary and work across design, technology, philosophy, engineering, art, social sciences and the humanities.

Antikythera was founded in 2022 and is directed by philosopher of technology Benjamin Bratton. The think tank produces design research and scenarios that advance the philosophy of technology through collaborations with foundations, think tanks, companies, and civil society organizations.

Antikythera is incubated at the Berggruen Institute, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with offices in Los Angeles, Beijing, and Venice.

Research

Planetary Computation

Planetary
Computation

Computation takes the form of planetary infrastructure that remakes philosophy, science, and society in its image

Synthetic Intelligence

Synthetic
Intelligence

The long-term implications of machine intelligence for philosophy, science, and design

Recursive Simulations

Recursive
Simulations

The emergence of simulation as an epistemological technology, from scientific simulation to virtual environments

Synthetic Catallaxy

Synthetic
Catallaxy

The future of computational economics, pricing and planning

Hemispherical Stacks

Hemispherical
Stacks

The multipolar geopolitics of planetary computation

Upcoming WORKING GROUP

Futures of Multipolar Computation
Virtual Working Group

hemispherical stacks

April – OCTOBER 2024

Online

Antikythera will host a virtual working group for advanced researchers and writers working across technology, philosophy, political science, international relations, geopolitics, science fiction, and other fields. Participants will receive a stipend and attend a total of 8 online sessions.

march 20th

Application Deadline

April 12th

Cohort Confirmed

end of april

Upcoming WORKING GROUP

Futures of Multipolar Computation
Virtual Working Group

hemispherical stacks

April – OCTOBER 2024

Online

Antikythera will host a virtual working group for advanced researchers and writers working across technology, philosophy, political science, international relations, geopolitics, science fiction, and other fields. Participants will receive a stipend and attend a total of 8 online sessions.

march 20th

Application Deadline

April 12th

Cohort Confirmed

end of april

Planetary Sapience

Planetary
Sapience

The evolutionary emergence of natural and artificial intelligence, and the conception and composition of viable planetary systems

Upcoming WORKING GROUP

Futures of Multipolar Computation
Virtual Working Group

hemispherical stacks

April – OCTOBER 2024

Online

Antikythera will host a virtual working group for advanced researchers and writers working across technology, philosophy, political science, international relations, geopolitics, science fiction, and other fields. Participants will receive a stipend and attend a total of 8 online sessions.

march 20th

Application Deadline

April 12th

Cohort Confirmed

end of april

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

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