Daniel Wilkinson on Mortal Computing, Demographic Shifts, and Rethinking AI Infrastructure

What if Artificial Intelligence could power planetary-scale progress—without draining the planet? Ahead of World Summit AI 2025 (08–09 October, Amsterdam), Daniel Wilkinson, Distinguished Architect for Machine Learning Architecture at Synopsys, shares his vision for decentralised, diversified and socially useful Artificial Intelligence. From building the world’s first start-up-led AI accelerator to warning against climate-linked tech arms races, Wilkinson calls for radical innovation in how—and why—we build intelligent systems.

What’s your most compelling dream scenario for AI — a breakthrough that would fundamentally improve life on a global scale?

Automate the world's most necessary but polluting industries and locate them off-planet

What’s a recent project or breakthrough you're especially proud of — and what kind of impact do you hope it will have in the real world?

I architected the Graphcore IPU, the world's first start-up led AI accelerator, from 2014. Although the product wasn't commercially successful, it worked well and fired the starting gun on hundreds of AI hardware ventures!

What’s a use case for AI that you think more people should know about — something positive that’s flying under the radar?

Using AI to get more out of existing computing technology by optimising how we use it minute by minute and week by week.

If you had to choose one nightmare scenario that keeps you up at night — whether realistic or speculative — what would it be, and what warning signs should we be watching for today?

Climate change is the biggest threat to all of us, closely followed by armed conflict, in fact the two are likely to be linked. We shouldn't allow technological arms races to exacerbate either threat.

Who or what do you think has the power to prevent your nightmare scenario above?

Global society must explore a variety of paths to socially useful AI, rather than focussing on advancing just one approach.

What are we not talking about enough in the AI conversation today — something you believe could be hugely important five years from now?

Mortal Computing

If you look ahead 10 years, what do you think will be the biggest change in our daily lives?

Demographic decline and climate change will be the biggest talking points in 10 years time.

What inspired you to participate in this AI summit as a speaker, and what message do you hope to convey to the audience?

I want to evangelise the possibilities and opportunities that exist in pursuing a wider range of technological and commercial approaches to AI

Daniel Wilkinson, Distinguished Architect, Machine Learning Architecture, Synopsys

Daniel-Wilkinson

World Summit AI global Summit series

World Summit AI

08 - 09 October 2025

Taets Art & Event Park, Amsterdam

worldsummit.ai

World Summit AI Qatar

09 – 10 December 2025

Doha Exhibition & Convention Center

qatar.worldsummit.ai

Daniel Wilkinson on Mortal Computing, Demographic Shifts, and Rethinking AI Infrastructure

Featured posts

Posts by Tag

Subscribe to the Blog