A singular vision
18 November 2016 | Read time: 2 minutes
Futurists and technology experts explained to Challenge research leaders the disruptive impact exponential technologies could have at the SingularityU Summit in Christchurch.
Silicon Valley-based SingularityU is a think tank that aims to “educate, inspire and empower leaders to apply exponential technologies that address humanity’s grand challenges”.
Exponential technologies are those, such as the microprocessor, that double in their speed/power every year (and or their cost is halved) and are having a profound impact on business and society.
A wide variety of speakers presented a diverse range of inspiring ideas about how exponential technologies could change the way we live in a positive way, said Materials, manufacturing and design theme leader Don Cleland.
“There were some good business examples and an abundance of ideas and technologies. Clearly there was one perspective on how technology could change the future but it was great to see a wide cross-section of people in the audience being exposed to some big ideas about the future,” he said.