What is our capacity to envision our possible futures? How do we prepare? Here’s one example—genetically-edited algae that reproduces on wasteland, in salt water, absorbing carbon emissions to produce fuel. Wild algae didn’t produce enough fats to make it economically feasible to extract energy—but scientists discovered how to genetically manipulate a ‘lipid trigger’ that doubled
The challenges of really huge technological leaps, after they have already occurred, are difficult for our brains to imagine. One of the most significant leaps in human history was from animal-powered to mechanical locomotion. In our automated world, it is nearly impossible to imagine the rapid adjustment required from the natural movements of horses to
Last year in June, the ATM celebrated its 50th birthday. So, if tellers have been “automated" for over 50 years, why do we still have tellers? And what does this tell us about the AI threat to jobs that everyone fears? Many people thought that the ATMs would eventually wipe out teller jobs, but in
While the digitally-driven economy disrupts established ways, calling for workers with a balance of hard and soft power skills, the old education system is failing to produce what employers need. There is a solution. Just like Amazon, Uber, or Airbnb, technology can cut out the middle man in paradigm-shifting ways, connecting potential employees with employer needs, and motivating learners through autonomy, relatedness, and competency.
