Deep Tech and Smart Cities: Science Fiction as a Service with Andrew Côté from Hyperstition Incorporated
In this visionary episode of the Smart Cities Council Podcast, recorded at the Smart Cities Summit North America in San Francisco, Fanni Melles, PhD, sits down with Andrew Côté, founder of Hyperstition Incorporated, to explore the intersection of deep tech and smart cities.
Andrew, an engineering physicist with a diverse background in RF engineering, biotech, AI, and nuclear fusion, now leads Hyperstition to bring "science fiction as a future" through events, media, and Deep Tech Week—a global, decentralized conference showcasing frontier technologies like silicon photonics, supersonic jets, and space-based imaging. From redefining technology as any human-designed system to advocating for problem-first urban solutions, Andrew shares insights on how smart cities can integrate emerging technologies while preserving humane, equitable living.
Tune in for a thought-provoking dive into self-governance, autonomous transportation, and the opportunities to shape a science fiction future for cities.
Key Takeaways
0:00 - Introduction: Problem-First Thinking for Urban Solutions
1:20 - Welcome to the Smart Cities Council Podcast!
1:40 - Introducing Andrew Côté and Hyperstition Incorporated
2:30 - Andrew’s Journey: From Physics to Deep Tech
4:10 - What Does "Smart City" Mean to Andrew?
5:30 - The Thermodynamics of Cities and Economies of Scale
7:10 - Redefining Technology: From Democracy to Deep Tech
9:10 - Governance vs. Self-Governance in Smart Cities
11:00 - The Role of Government: Setting Rules, Not Solutions
14:30 - Problem vs. Outcome: Designing for Urban Needs
16:50 - Balancing Innovation with Cultural Inertia
18:00 - Biggest Opportunities: Autonomous Transport and Bureaucratic AI
20:30 - Solar, Batteries, and Resilient Grids
22:10 - Emerging Cities as Innovation Hubs
22:50 - Advice for Deep Tech Founders: Embrace the Struggle
25:30 - Advice for Consumers: Focus on Problems, Not Hype
27:00 - Closing Thoughts: A New Industrial Revolution Awaits
28:00 - Invitation to Deep Tech Week in San Francisco
Learn More About Andrew Côté, Hyperstition Incorporated and DeepTechWeek:
Andrew Côté on LinkedIn
@Andercot as Andrew Côté on X
Andrew Cote on Substack
@hyperstition_x as HyperStition Incorporated on X
Hyperstition Incorporated on LinkedIn
Deep Tech Week website
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