Trends & Signals
By: John Dalton
Explore the latest insights, thought leadership, and research from FCAT®
A Conversation with Rhaina Cohen: Author of The Other Significant Others: Reimagining Life with Friendship
July 16, 2025
Journalist and author, Rhaina Cohen, recently joined FCAT to discuss the power of deeply committed friendships to those who prioritize non-romantic relationships.
Ask an FCAT Researcher: Anjali Lai on Parenting in the 21st Century
June 27, 2025
“Parents potentially need different kinds of guidance for their financial planning, both when they are preparing for a child and then later, as they support them through life.”
A Conversation with J. Doyne Farmer: Author of Making Sense of Chaos: A Better Economics for a Better World
May 14, 2025
In his most recent book, Making Sense of Chaos: A Better Economics for a Better World, J. Doyne Farmer presents a carefully researched and lucidly written argument showing how complex systems science and agent-based modeling can revolutionize economics.
A Conversation with Sayash Kapoor: Author of AI Snake Oil
January 17, 2025
Thought leader Sayash Kapoor joined FCAT to offer his perspective on bogus AI claims, why people fall for them, and strategies for better leveraging AI technologies. FCAT’s John Dalton spoke with Kapoor to uncover how users can cut through the hype and tap into AI’s true potential.
A Conversation with Jamie Metzl: Author of Superconvergence
October 25, 2024
In Superconvergence, Jamie Metzl explains how emerging genetic, biotechnical, and AI technologies will transform our world. FCAT’s John Dalton spoke with Metzl about his research and how he hopes we can move forward as a society.
A Conversation with Ethan Mollick: Author of Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI
June 6, 2024
In his most recent book, Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI, Ethan Mollick, professor of management at Wharton and author of the One Useful Thing newsletter, explains how this rapidly changing technology will impact our personal and professional lives. John Dalton, VP of Research at FCAT, spoke with Ethan about the emergence of this “alien intelligence.”
Curious Minds: A Conversation with Dani S. Bassett and Perry Zurn
December 11, 2023
In their most recent book, Curious Minds: The Power of Connection, Dani S. Bassett, J. Peter Skirkanich Professor of Bioengineering and Physics at the University of Pennsylvania, and Perry Zurn, Provost Associate Professor of Philosophy at American University, explore how curiosity works and how we can improve the practice of curiosity in our own lives. Recently, John Dalton, VP of Research at FCAT, had a chance to speak with Dani and Perry about their research.
A Conversation with Tiffany Shlain: The Power of Unplugging
October 18, 2023
In her most recent book, 24/6: The Power of Unplugging One Day A Week, Tiffany Shlain, Emmy-nominated filmmaker and founder of the Webby Awards, explains how turning off our screens can enhance our well-being, focus, relationships and creativity.
A Conversation on the Future of AI with Stephen Wolfram
July 17, 2023
Generative AI is all the rage now. Coverage of tools like ChatGPT, DALL-E2, and Midjourney has been breathless, with pundits and practitioners predicting either doom or a new golden age for computing. What is really going on here?
Humanity-Centered Design: An Interview with Don Norman
February 14, 2023
FCAT had the pleasure of welcoming Don Norman, author of Design for a Better World, for a speaking event where he presented an eye-opening diagnosis of how human behavior has led to numerous societal crises from collapsing social structures to climate change. Norman, both a scientist and business executive, proposes how we can reconsider what’s important in life and how that new way of thinking can help save humanity. As a sneak peek to his new book, FCAT’s VP of Research, John Dalton interviewed Norman to dive into his philosophy of humanity-centered design.