Co-Intelligence: Bridging Nature, Humanity, and AI for a Sustainable Future

In late February, Andover’s new Falls Music Center was electric as Dr. Subra Suresh — renowned materials scientist, engineer, and entrepreneur — took the stage to explore the power of co-intelligence: the fusion of nature, human ingenuity, and AI to drive innovation in medicine, sustainability, and beyond.The excitement was palpable. Andover students, faculty, and staff, along with members of the broader community packed the hall for an illuminating discussion. Dr. Suresh captivated the audience with groundbreaking experiments — making paper from pollen and bending diamonds — leaving everyone in awe and sparking big ideas about the future of materials and technology.

A central theme of Dr. Suresh’s talk was the extraordinary intelligence embedded in nature. He illustrated how birds mastered fluid dynamics long before humans, optimizing energy through coordinated flight patterns, and how plants like the Venus flytrap exhibit decision-making behavior — counting triggers before closing on prey. He also highlighted the mathematical marvels found in nature, such as the Fibonacci sequence manifesting in flower petals, pinecones, and even sunflower seed arrangements.

Dr. Suresh’s research extends these natural phenomena into tangible innovations. His team has pioneered the transformation of pollen into a flexible, sustainable material capable of replacing conventional paper. He demonstrated how this pollen-based paper reacts dynamically to moisture, ending and folding on command, and even allowing for reversible printing — an advancement that could revolutionize sustainability in printing industries.

He’s done cutting-edge work on diamonds at the nanoscale and is exploring how AI can unlock new possibilities in medicine.

After the presentation, Head of School Raynard Kington, MD, PhD, P’24, ​’27, led a dynamic Q&A with Dr. Suresh, deepening the exchange even further. Topics ranged from the intersection of AI and education to the evolving role of public investment in scientific research. Dr. Suresh emphasized the need for sustained funding in fundamental research, noting how many technological advancements — from GPS to modern computing — were built on decades of government-supported science.

This was more than just a lecture — it was a glimpse into the future. How do we harness the intelligence of nature, machines, and humans to create something greater than the sum of their parts? The conversation is just beginning.

Earlier in the day, Dr. Suresh immersed himself in a series of engagements on campus. He began with a thought-provoking lunch discussion with Andover’s science and sustainability faculty, where he exchanged insights on pioneering research and emerging educational initiatives. Later, he joined the Leadership Development Program, conversing with current and past participants on the challenges and triumphs of effective leadership.

Before his evening address at the Falls Music Center, Dr. Suresh attended a dinner at the Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology, where he talked with students from the Phillips Academy Sustainability Coalition (PASC) and Villars Fellows who participated in the 2023 – 2025 Learning in the World trips to the Villars Institute in Switzerland. Faculty members in attendance included Andy Wall, instructor and chair in chemistry, and Ryan Wheeler, director of the Peabody Institute and chair of archaeology. Eric Roland, interim Currie Family director of the Tang Institute, also attended. Together they explored new ideas poised to drive sustainable solutions forward and the transformative power of interdisciplinary collaboration.

It was an honor to host Dr. Suresh for the day. We are grateful for his time and generosity, and we look forward to meeting again.