SingularityU Summit - Day 2

Another full on day with speakers who are passionate about their fields of interest.

Biotech and Artificial Intelligence (AI) were some of the main themes from today.

Will computer science or AI disrupt your job?

As computer speeds and technology develop, more data is being collected.  AI is the only practicable way in which humans can make sense of the volumes of data being gathered.

Artificial Intelligence is changing the playing field

AI relies on a high trust model.  Humans need to trust the AI; AI needs to be able to trust humans.

AI can change the balance of power and can help to bring equality for small companies to be able to compete with larger companies.   

Shek Almed Zaki Yamani

Larger machines require more energy to be reliable. With the increase in speed of technological development, there is the challenge of creating devices with greater battery capacity and efficiency.  So what is the answer for supplying more affordable energy? Fossil fuels have been the primary source of our energy needs.  

What about wind power, hydro and solar? 

The cost of solar power is becoming more affordable and surprisingly enough, the areas in the world that could harness the most solar power, are the areas that have the least power available to them 

eg: Africa; India and many 3rd world countries.  

"An idea can never break, chip, or crack.  It can grow over time and with the right idea can improve the amount of any resource." Ramez Naam

Disruptive technology is impacting on Genetic Engineering. 
This science impacts upon:
Synthetic biology - reprogramming cells to behave differently
Agriculture - genetically modified organisms eg: creating apples that do not brown when cut
Ethics, Laws and Policy - around genetically modified humans?
Biohacking - being bio-curious and making biotech accessible, affordable and open to everyone  Check out: biotech hack for kids
Consumers Genomics - Purchase gifts for yourself or others eg: 25andMe - discover your DNA and family; Vinome- personalise wine experience; ORIG3N - medical analysis

Automated self-driven vehicles
Currently, when we purchase a car, we consider our needs.  The future of cars may be better described as 'buying a ride'.  We may not need to purchase a car but instead, pay for a car depending on our needs for any given day.  eg: going to work vs going skiing with friends?

Cars of the future could be shells that are not necessarily owned.  This technology can change where to live.  The distance from work to home may be negligible as the time spent in a vehicle could be spent being productive - working, watching a movie or sleeping.

In 2017, Christchurch Airport is going to trial some driverless service shuttles.

Can driverless vehicles reduce the number of vehicle accidents?

Can these vehicles minimise foreign driver incidents?








The day finished with a captivating presentation by astronaut Dan Barry.  His stories of space travel and ideas about autonomous flying raised the question of whether AI would make the right decision.  Dan walked us through the actions of Captain Sullenberger who landed his passenger plane on the Hudson River in 2009 after experiencing a bird strike.  If AI was in charge of the plane, who's lives would AI consider more valuable?- people on the plane? or people on the ground?  Can AI rely on the information from the planes instruments? Would AI have chosen to turn back? or do as "Sully" did?

Mia, Kaila Colbin, Caitlyn

Chatting to Astronaut - Dan Barry