Explore how the existential threats facing humanity might be avoided through the wise application of powerful new technologies.
Join Astronomer Royal Lord Martin Rees for FUTURES Podcast LIVE, hosted by Luke Robert Mason.
Humanity has reached a critical juncture. During the next century we are likely to face a number of existential threats from cyberattacks, biotechnology, artificial intelligence and climate change. Surviving these scenarios will depend on our collective ability to adapt to new ideas and plan accordingly for tomorrow. Current methods are hampered by short-term thinking, polarising debates, alarmist rhetoric, and pessimism. For us to successfully leverage science to solve our greatest problems - while avoiding the dystopian risks - we must learn to think rationally, globally and optimistically about the future.
How can we responsibly develop and harness novel technology in order to address our greatest challenges? What long term impact will biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and space exploration have on society? What will a post-human existence mean for our planet?
Speakers
Lord Martin Rees
Lord Martin Rees is a leading astrophysicist as well as a senior figure in UK science. He has conducted influential theoretical work on subjects as diverse as black hole formation and extragalactic radio sources, and provided key evidence to contradict the Steady State theory of the evolution of the Universe.
Martin was also one of the first to predict the uneven distribution of matter in the Universe, and proposed observational tests to determine the clustering of stars and galaxies. Much of his most valuable research has focused on the end of the so-called cosmic dark ages — a period shortly after the Big Bang when the Universe was as yet without light sources.
As Astronomer Royal and a Past President of the Royal Society, Martin is a prominent scientific spokesperson and the author of seven books of popular science. After receiving a knighthood in 1992 for his services to science, he was elevated to the title of Baron Rees of Ludlow in 2005.
Featured Book
On the Future: Prospects for Humanity by Martin Rees (Princeton Press, 2018)
A provocative and inspiring look at the future of humanity and science from world-renowned scientist and bestselling author Martin Rees.
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