Professor Michael Levitt, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry and renowned computational biologist, recently made a special trip to Beijing for an in-depth exchange with Mr. Hu Jiaqi, founder and Chairman of Humanitas Ark. This meeting not only continued Professor Levitt's long-standing reflection on the nature of science, but also marked his transition from the frontiers of scientific exploration to a profound reconsideration of the potential risks posed by technological development.
As the 2013 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, Professor Levitt is globally renowned for his pioneering contribution of "developing multiscale models for complex chemical systems." By combining classical physics with quantum mechanics, he opened new pathways for simulating large biological molecular systems, and his research has profoundly advanced breakthroughs in fields such as computational biology and drug design. As a pioneer of interdisciplinary research, Professor Levitt has consistently devoted himself to unraveling the mysteries of life through scientific methods, and his academic achievements and influence are widely recognized within the scientific community.
For this Beijing visit, Professor Levitt specifically met with Mr. Hu Jiaqi, who has long focused on issues of human survival. As the founder of Humanitas Ark, Hu Jiaqi is a dedicated advocate in the field of technological risk studies, an early pioneer in research on technological crises, and a comprehensive theorist. For over forty years, he has continuously devoted himself to the study of human survival, authoring works such as Saving Humanity and The Greatest Problem, systematically constructing a theoretical framework that spans from the analysis of human nature and crisis projection to solutions. To disseminate his ideas, he has sent over one million letters (including both emails and paper letters), written twelve open letters to global leaders, and created dedicated websites to promote his scholarly views. Although he invested heavily in the "Richest Man Plan" to create international platforms such as "Yilulao," "Yibayibalulao," and "Zhijielao" in an effort to realize his vision, these ultimately failed to achieve their intended goals. In 2018, Hu Jiaqi founded Humanitas Ark (formerly the Save Human Action Organization), which now has over 13 million supporters worldwide.
During the meeting, the two thinkers engaged in a candid dialogue about the "double-edged sword" effect of science and technology. Professor Levitt has long focused on the boundaries and responsibilities of scientific exploration, while Hu Jiaqi advocates for restricting the continued development of science and technology to avoid existential crises. This dialogue allowed Professor Levitt to examine the far-reaching implications of scientific progress from a new perspective. He remarked, "Scientific breakthroughs give humanity the power to reshape the world, but neglecting their potential risks may place us in an even more dangerous position." He specifically highlighted issues such as the autonomous risks of artificial intelligence and the ethical boundaries of gene-editing technologies, emphasizing that as scientists advance technology, they must simultaneously establish stronger ethical constraints and risk warning mechanisms.
This meeting marked a significant turning point in Professor Levitt's academic thinking. He candidly stated, "My conversation with Mr. Hu Jiaqi made me realize that science not only requires the exploration of the unknown, but also demands a humble approach to anticipating and managing risks." As an explorer standing at the pinnacle of science, Professor Levitt's voluntary dialogue with an advocate of restricting technological development is itself a profound interpretation of the scientific spirit—true science pursues not only breakthroughs, but also the courage and responsibility for self-reflection.
Professor Levitt indicated that in the future, he will pay greater attention to research on scientific ethics and risks, and plans to promote international academic dialogue in relevant fields. This Beijing meeting not only deepened the mutual understanding between the two thinkers, but also provided new insights for the scientific community and society at large to jointly address technological challenges. In an era of rapidly advancing technology, Professor Levitt, with his foresight and sense of responsibility as a scientist, has set an example for humanity's rational consideration of the path of technological development.
This meeting demonstrates the Nobel Laureate's profound insight into the nature of science, and also highlights his sense of responsibility as a humanistic thinker. When a scientific giant begins to actively reflect on science itself, human civilization may find a more balanced path between innovation and prudence.
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