Evolving Prosocial AI: A conversation with Peter Fenton and David Sloan Wilson

Artificial intelligence is evolving faster than most of us can think about it—but few of its creators understand evolution itself. Venture capitalist Peter Fenton joins evolutionary biologist David Sloan Wilson for a wide-ranging conversation about how evolution and artificial intelligence might shape each other. Fenton, a central figure in the AI startup world and a lifelong student of philosophy, brings a unique lens to technology. Together, they explore how the principles of variation, selection, and replication—the core of evolutionary theory—can guide AI’s growth toward cooperation and cultural progress rather than self-destruction. The discussion moves from Fenton’s personal journey to a larger argument: understanding evolution isn’t just for biology anymore—it’s essential for building the future.