Oxford Martin School

19 January 2012 - 08 March 2012

Challenges and opportunities of transformative technological change...

New and emerging technologies such as those in the nano-, bio- and computing sciences offer tremendous opportunities for humankind. Developing new treatments for disease, reducing carbon and its devastating climatic effects, making leaps in computational capacity, enhancing human potential… the range of benefits from advances in science and technology is vast. But as our rate of technological innovation accelerates, are there unforeseen risks? How can we understand the nature of technological change, its directions as well as possible impacts for humanity, in the short and longer terms? In brief, how can we keep on the cutting-edge and avoid the double-edged…?

This series of special events will provide a broad, cross-disciplinary understanding of some of the most critical challenges and opportunities in transformative technologies. Discussants in a panel debate will explore the kinds of technologies that have the potential to transform our lives, as well as address the ethics and governance implications of such technologies.
 

Read our blog on the topic of "Can emerging technology save the world?"

http://www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/downloads/events/2011H-EmergingTech-Flyer-eversion.pdf

Events in this series:

• 19 Jan 2012

  15:30 Panel Discussion: "Emerging healthcare technologies - how are they changing us?"

• 2 Feb 2012

  15:30 Panel Discussion: "Human and cognitive enhancement - do we want smarter, faster, better humans?"

• 16 Feb 2012

  15:30 Panel Discussion: "Securing our cyber future - opportunities and risks when virtual meets reality"

• 1 Mar 2012

  15:30 Panel Discussion: "The hopes and hazards of climate intervention technologies"