New approaches
“With this head, this heart and these hands, what do I have to contribute to the world?” Catherine Mulligan has asked herself this question since her early teens. “Through thinking deeply, caring profoundly about impact, and building tangibly, I think we can transform the world for the better.”
This belief has led her to work across technology, economics, sustainability and public policy. Mulligan does not think these fields should be viewed separately. “The most important questions rarely belong to one field alone,” she says. Looking from only one angle means missing “the opportunity to move society forward into the next era.” Because research is often split into traditional fields, she co-founded Digital Crossroads to explore new approaches.
“Technology does not compensate for a lack of organisational self-knowledge”
Her broad view also helps her cut through the hype around AI and blockchain. Mulligan starts with a simple question: “Does it solve a real problem for you?” Leaders need to understand how their organisation works, where it creates value and which problems matter. A machine cannot do that thinking for them. “Technology does not compensate for a lack of organisational self-knowledge; it amplifies it.”
Mulligan saw what can happen when hype takes over after co-founding the world’s first academic research centre for blockchain and cryptocurrency. She still believes in its potential, but too much attention was placed on its financial value. “I think that greed held up the progress that should have been made.” Powerful groups eventually “decided to consume it and turn it to their own ends”.
We risk confusing what can be measured with what truly matters
Today, Mulligan is concerned about “datalism”, the belief that more data and automation will always lead to better decisions. “We risk confusing what can be measured with what truly matters.” She believes cyber resilience should be treated as critical national infrastructure, with governments doing more to protect smaller businesses.
Digital progress must be judged by its full impact. A technology is not sustainable simply because it cuts emissions or improves efficiency. “If a technology reduces carbon but deepens inequality, or creates economic value by shifting environmental costs elsewhere, it is not genuinely sustainable.” Its benefits must outweigh the costs for the environment, economy and society.
“Don’t be afraid of friction”
It is no longer enough to invite experts to explain new technologies, Mulligan argues. Policymakers need enough knowledge to understand them and create suitable rules. “In short, our policymakers need to become a lot more interdisciplinary.”
Bringing different fields and interests together is not always comfortable. Mulligan believes people should make room for debate and remain committed for the long term. “Don’t be afraid of friction either. That’s where the fun stuff really happens.” Some of the people with whom she argued most strongly early in her career ended up writing a book with her nearly twelve years later.
I am BOLD because I refuse to mistake the way things are for the way they must remain
This openness is part of what she values about BOLD: “I meet people with heart, brains and passion who want to build real change. Who doesn’t want that?” Her own statement is clear: “I am BOLD because I refuse to mistake the way things are for the way they must remain, but I am also BOLD because I adapt, I rebuild, and I keep going.”