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Mission

The Future of Humanity Institute is the leading research centre looking at big-picture questions for human civilization. The last few centuries have seen tremendous change, and this century might transform the human condition in even more fundamental ways.  Using the tools of mathematics, philosophy, and science, we explore the risks and opportunities that will arise from technological change, weigh ethical dilemmas, and evaluate global priorities.  Our goal is to clarify the choices that will shape humanity’s long-term future. 

Seminar Series: "Can emerging technologies save the world?"

Dates: 19 January 2012 - 01 March 2012

Venue: Oxford Martin School, Old Indian Institute, Broad Street, Oxford

New and emerging technologies such as those in the nano-, bio- and computing sciences offer tremendous opportunities for humankind. Developing new treatments for disease, reducing carbon and its devastating climatic effects, making leaps in computational capacity, enhancing human potential… the range of benefits from advances in science and technology is vast. But as our rate of technological innovation accelerates, are there unforeseen risks? How can we understand the nature of technological change, its directions as well as possible impacts for humanity, in the short and longer terms? In brief, how can we keep on the cutting-edge and avoid the double-edged…?

This series of special events will provide a broad, cross-disciplinary understanding of some of the most critical challenges and opportunities in transformative technologies. Discussants in a panel debate will explore the kinds of technologies that have the potential to transform our lives, as well as address the ethics and governance implications of such technologies.

Visit event webpage on Oxford Martin School website for details on all events in this seminar series.

Attendance is free of charge and open to the public but space is limited.  Please register in advance by emailing events@oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk

• 19 Jan 2012, 15:30 Panel Discussion: "Emerging healthcare technologies - how are they changing us?"
• 2 Feb 2012, 15:30 Panel Discussion: "Human and cognitive enhancement - do we want smarter, faster, better humans?" *with Nick Bostrom, see details below.
• 16 Feb 2012, 15:30 Panel Discussion: "Securing our cyber future - opportunities and risks when virtual meets reality"
• 1 Mar 2012, 15:30 Panel Discussion: "The hopes and hazards of climate intervention technologies"

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*2 Feb 2012 at 15:30

Panel Discussion: "Human and cognitive enhancement - do we want smarter, faster, better humans?"

Advances in understanding how the brain works are rapidly leading to new possibilities for intervention in brain function. The ability of brains and machines to talk to each other directly is fast becoming a very real possibility, as is the possibility for whole brain emulation and machine intelligence. This raises profound ethical issues related to understanding behaviour and potentially manipulating it, so called ‘mind control’. Not only that, the economic consequences and security concerns that might be raised by different levels of capability require careful consideration. What price do we have to pay to be smarter, faster and better humans?

Panel:

• Professor Nick Bostrom, Director, Oxford Martin Programme on the Impacts of Future Technology and Professor of Philosophy, University of Oxford
• Professor Gero Miesenböck, Co-Director, Programme on Mind and Machine and Waynflete Professor of Physiology, University of Oxford
• Graham Lawton, Deputy Editor, New Scientist