Titus argues there's no such thing as a "large initiative." Instead, big achievements are the cumulative result of thousands of small, well-executed tasks. This "flywheel" effect, starting with tangible small wins, builds momentum and mindshare for larger strategic goals.
A major focus of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology is on improving "bioliteracy"—a fundamental understanding of biology's importance. This gap among policymakers and the public is seen as a larger obstacle than technical innovation, as it impacts funding, regulation, and public acceptance.
Titus believes a key area for AI's impact is in bringing a "design for manufacturing" approach to therapeutics. Currently, manufacturability is an afterthought. Integrating it early into the discovery process, using AI to predict toxicity and scalability, can prevent costly rework.
To establish biotech's importance at the Department of Defense, Titus focused on empowering and publicizing the work of existing scientists in Army, Navy, and Air Force labs. Instead of seeking credit, he acted as a megaphone for their successes, which accelerated his mission.
During grad school interviews, Titus's story of living in a casino and successfully playing blackjack became the focal point. It was a more compelling and tangible demonstration of his grasp of probability and statistics than a mid-authorship paper, helping him stand out memorably.
Instead of waiting for complete information, Alexander Titus's model for action is to ensure the next immediate step is not an irreversible mistake. This allows for faster movement and exploration, as most professional decisions can be undone, unlike major life choices like debt or family.
Titus treated his initial $100 in blackjack as "startup capital." Once he doubled it and secured his initial investment, he was playing with winnings. This allowed for bolder plays with zero risk of personal loss, a model applicable to de-risking new ventures.
While AI-driven drug discovery is the ultimate goal, Titus argues its most practical value is in improving business efficiency. This includes automating tasks like literature reviews, paper drafting, and procurement, freeing up scientists' time for high-value work like experimental design and interpretation.
Titus uses his sci-fi novel to create an "ethical crucible" for human genetic engineering, forcing readers into a binary choice between extinction and genetic modification. This medium allows for exploring high-stakes scenarios and removing the "edge cases" that often bog down real-world policy discussions.
Alexander Titus's career path has been shaped by prioritizing working on hard things with good people over a fixed, long-term plan. This flexible, people-first approach has led him to unique, "first-of-their-kind" roles across government, VC, and industry that a rigid plan would have missed.