Mike Treder, managing director of the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies, is a prolific writer, speaker, and activist with a background in media and communications. He has published dozens of articles and papers and been interviewed numerous times by the media. As an accomplished presenter on the societal implications of emerging technologies, Mr. Treder has addressed conferences and groups around the world, including in the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, Spain, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil. In addition to his work with the IEET, Mr. Treder is a consultant to the Millennium Project of the American Council for the United Nations University, serves on the Scientific Advisory Board for the Lifeboat Foundation, is a member of the New York Academy of Sciences, a consultant to the Future Technologies Advisory Group, and a member of the World Future Society.American Council for the United Nations University, serves on the Scientific Advisory Board for the Lifeboat Foundation, is a member of the New York Academy of Sciences, a consultant to the Future Technologies Advisory Group, and a member of the World Future Society.
Are we in the future yet?
Many of the more optimistic forecasts from the 1970s, 80s, and 90s about future trends have not proven correct. Meanwhile, certain unanticipated events have had a big impact. So, how good are we really at foreseeing the development of emerging technologies and their impacts on society?
This presentation will offers a quick review of our past hits and misses, and will suggest that our focus should be less about predicting what to expect, and more about preparing for the unexpected.