Key Takeaways
- Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis says he has never used LSD, preferring other methods for deep thinking.
- He relies on gaming and extensive reading to explore life’s big questions.
- Hassabis emphasizes the need to keep his mind “finely tuned” for his work in artificial intelligence.
- This contrasts with some other tech leaders who have shared experiences with psychedelics.
Demis Hassabis, the head of Google DeepMind, is charting his own course when it comes to understanding the “nature of reality.” Unlike some figures in Silicon Valley, he doesn’t turn to substances like LSD for insights.
In a recent interview with Wired’s Steven Levy, Hassabis shared that he has never taken acid and has no plans to, according to a report from Business Insider. His path to deeper understanding began in childhood, through “gaming and reading a hell of a lot,” including both science fiction and science.
Hassabis explained his reluctance to experiment with psychedelics stems from a desire to protect his mental clarity. “I’ve sort of finely tuned my mind to work in this way,” he said. “I need it for where I’m going.”
His focus is on advancing artificial intelligence, particularly artificial general intelligence (AGI), through Google DeepMind, the lab behind AI projects like Gemini. He hopes AI will eventually help answer fundamental questions about the universe.
While Silicon Valley has seen a growing interest in psychedelics, with some using microdosing for productivity or engaging in ayahuasca retreats, Hassabis’s stance is more cautious. It’s also worth noting that using such substances isn’t always accepted, as seen in 2021 when a startup CEO was reportedly fired for microdosing LSD before a meeting.
Other prominent tech figures have had different experiences. Bill Gates, Microsoft’s cofounder, described his youthful LSD use as initially “exhilarating” but later disconcerting. Apple cofounder Steve Jobs, however, called it “one of the most important things in my life.”
OpenAI’s Sam Altman has also spoken positively about psychedelics, saying an experience significantly reduced his anxiety and changed him for the better, though he didn’t specify the drug.
For Hassabis, the quest for answers continues through his chosen methods. “We don’t know what the nature of time is, or consciousness and reality,” he told Wired. He believes these are profound questions that deserve more attention, and he’s leveraging his work in AI to explore them.
