The need for the age of AI: more polymaths
Over the centuries, polymaths—or people knowledgeable in many disciplines—have brought about a wide range of inventions and discoveries. Now polymaths can determine the course of artificial intelligence moving forward, and AI may even set the stage for an explosion of polymath activity.
The last polymath in history was Leonardo da Vinci, who was a revered artist as well as engineer, designer and scientist. Ben Franklin, with his knowledge ranging from political science to publishing to ocean currents, is another shining example. Then there is Nikola Tesla with his range of pursuits in energy and communication. If da Vinci, Franklin and Tesla were around today, it is certain that they would be dealing with artificial intelligence – for scientific and engineering research, as well as creating new art forms.
Artificial intelligence would be their means of expanding their understanding of the worlds they sought to explore and improve.
“Polymaths are uniquely suited to standing at the intersections of knowledge, where invention often takes root,” said Frank Diana, a futurist with TCS, in a recent post. “Their intellectual agility allows them to frame problems in different ways, ask unorthodox questions, and envision solutions that redefine entire fields.”
It seems logical that hyper-specialization is the only way to keep up with AI and other technologies, the domain of data scientists, agile engineers, data engineers, etc. But successful and ethical AI also requires input and accountability from people outside technology, including creative people, entrepreneurs, scientists, financial people, legal and ethical experts just to name a few.
We may see more polymaths emerge as “once knowledge was the province of the privileged few, AI democratizes access to information and expertise,” said John Nosta, founder of NostaLab, an innovative startup, in a recent article in Psychology Today. “Advanced language models and intelligent tutoring systems now provide personalized instruction in a wide range of subjects, from quantum physics to classical music composition. This accessibility empowers individuals to transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries, fostering a new generation of polymaths.”
Polymates appear with each stage of progress, and now, we are at another turning point. “Polymathematics have long played a critical role on the invention side of the invention-innovation distinction. “Invention involves the creation of something entirely new – ideas, devices or processes that did not previously exist,” said Diana. “This pursuit requires an ability to cross multiple fields, connecting seemingly unrelated concepts and pushing beyond conventional boundaries. These qualities lie at the core of the polymath.”
The world ahead requires a new skill set, and thus the wide range of skills and interests that a polymath can bring. This agility will come not only from inspired individuals, but also from entire companies, wrote Vinnie Mirchandani in The New Polymath: Profiles in Composites Technology Innovations in 2010. He suggested at the time that professions such as information technology are expanding beyond the boundaries of construction and technology management. He saw IT as the foundation of many of the important changes now reshaping business and society. “A wide range of analytics tools and technologies are available to enterprises today. Particularly encouraging is the progress around unstructured analytics, predictive analytics and data visualization.”
Artificial intelligence is sparking “a new renaissance, empowering individuals to excel in multiple fields as modern-day polymaths,” Nosta said. Large language models “break down silos of knowledge, enabling the exploration of subjects ranging from art to quantum physics. AI-driven platforms personalize learning, fueling interdisciplinary thinking for 21st century innovation.”
The innovation that drives advances in health, aviation, construction, entertainment and all other areas of life depend on polymaths who can see across fields. Such as artificial intelligence chips that enable the blind to see, 3D printing of housing or apps that track health metrics.
At the same time, it’s still an open question whether AI will “serve as a force for human well-being, or push us toward undesirable outcomes,” Diana said. “The answer depends on how we connect the transformative power of AI with the values that have defined polymath: curiosity, ethical responsibility, and a commitment to advancing humanity.”
Artificial intelligence has the potential to “fundamentally change the dynamics of invention,” Diana noted. “With the ability to integrate vast amounts of data across diverse domains, AI can not only replicate human polymathic thinking, but also surpass it, opening new frontiers in medicine, energy, climate solutions and beyond. “
