Speakers from 2040
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Speakers from 2040 *
Meet our speakers from alternative timelines
Chimamanda Gama
Presentation:
The Algorithmic Oracle: Decoding Bias in Predictive Futures
Chimamanda is a leading voice in the ethical development and deployment of artificial intelligence. As Chief Ethicist for the Global AI Governance Council, she navigates the complex moral landscapes emerging from increasingly sophisticated AI systems. Her work focuses on identifying and mitigating algorithmic bias, particularly in predictive analytics that shape economic, social, and political futures. Chimamanda's presentation, 'The Algorithmic Oracle,' delves into the hidden assumptions and societal values embedded within AI, challenging us to question whose future is being optimized and whose is being marginalized. She advocates for a human-centric approach to AI design, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and the active participation of diverse communities in shaping our technological destiny.
Dr. Ahmed Nasir
Presentation:
The Vertical City Below: Designing for Resilience in a Post-Surface World
Dr. Jean Li
Presentation: Echoes in the Data Stream: Unearthing Lost Histories in the Quantum Cloud
Dr. Vance Dickenz
Presentation:
European Deep
Freeze: Reimagining Society in a Post-Energy Abundance World
Lina Swift
Presentation:
After the Wars: Cultivating Life on a Scarred Planet
Dr. Charlize Thorns
Presentation: Navigating the Canals of New York: A Hydro-Temporal Atlas of Future Urbanism
Dr. Dickenz is a renowned futurist and the Director of Experiential Futures at the prestigious Chronos Institute. His work focuses on immersing participants in plausible future scenarios to foster deeper understanding and proactive adaptation. Dr. Dickenz's latest project, 'European Deep Freeze,' explores the socio-economic and cultural implications of sudden, prolonged energy scarcity across Europe. Through immersive simulations and speculative design, he challenges audiences to confront the realities of resource constraints and envision innovative solutions for community resilience, decentralized governance, and the re-evaluation of societal values. He believes that by experiencing the future, even hypothetically, we can better prepare for its challenges and opportunities.
Dr. Nasir is a visionary architect and urban planner, renowned for his pioneering work in subterranean urban development. As Chief Architect for the Subterranean Urban Development Group, he is at the forefront of designing self-sustaining, multi-layered cities beneath the Earth's surface, offering solutions to issues of overpopulation, climate change and geopolitical instability. His presentation, 'The Vertical City Below,' explores the innovative engineering, psychological considerations, and social structures necessary for thriving underground communities. Dr. Nasir challenges traditional notions of urban living, presenting a compelling case for a future where humanity finds new frontiers not in the stars, but deep within the planet itself. His work is a testament to human ingenuity and adaptability in the face of unprecedented environmental shifts.
Lina is a visionary botanist leading the Interstellar Seed Bank Project, a global initiative to preserve Earth's biodiversity and explore exoplanetary flora for future human habitation. Her work has taken on new urgency in the wake of recent global conflicts, as she now focuses on the challenging task of re-greening and revitalizing war-torn landscapes. In her compelling presentation, 'After the Wars,' Lina will share insights into the resilience of life, the innovative techniques being developed for rapid ecological restoration, and the profound psychological and social impact of reconnecting humanity with a healing planet. Her research offers a powerful message of hope and renewal, demonstrating how even in the most devastated environments, life finds a way to flourish.
Dr. Li is a leading figure in the nascent field of Quantum Archaeology, where she utilizes advanced quantum computing and data forensics to reconstruct lost digital histories. Her work at the Institute for Digital Antiquity involves sifting through the vast, fragmented remnants of the early 21st-century internet, unearthing forgotten narratives, and reassembling the digital footprints of vanished cultures. In her talk, 'Echoes in the Data Stream,' Dr. Li will reveal how quantum entanglement allows for the recovery of seemingly irretrievable information, offering a provocative glimpse into a future where no past is truly lost. Her research challenges our understanding of historical preservation and the very nature of memory in an increasingly digital world.
Dr. Thorns is a pioneer in chronocartography, a discipline that maps the interwoven currents of time and space. Her groundbreaking work at the Temporal Dynamics Institute involves creating predictive models of urban evolution, focusing on the subtle shifts in infrastructure and social fabric that precede major societal transformations. Dr. Thorns' current research, 'Hydro-Temporal Atlas of Future Urbanism,' explores the surprising resilience and adaptability of historical water systems in the face of climate-induced changes, particularly in coastal megacities like New York. Her provocative insights challenge conventional urban planning, urging us to look beyond static blueprints and embrace the fluid, ever-changing nature of our future environments. She believes that understanding the 'ghosts in the machine' of our past infrastructure can unlock radical new pathways for sustainable development.
Submit a message to the future
This is your chance to ask a question that could help shape the future. You can submit a question for our keynote speakers, send a direct message to the year 2040, or share your own vision for the future.
Your question may be answered during the conference or included in the time capsule.
What to ask?
Think about what you want to know about the year 2040. What do you imagine will have changed? What do you wish would stay the same? Which challenges will we have solved, and which ones are you concerned about?
Let your imagination leap forward, challenge assumptions, and contribute to a dialogue that transcends time.