Explore futurist Amy Webb's annual tech trends report for 2020 in this provocative SXSW conference talk. Dive deep into crucial trends to follow, including the impact of the global coronavirus pandemic. Gain insights into optimistic and catastrophic scenarios describing plausible futures. Learn about evolutionary algorithms, bias in AI, synthetic media, and the concept of infinite versions of oneself. Examine the implications of synthesizing human connections and the rise of synthetic soap operas. Ponder deep questions about speech laws, behavioral design, and personal source code in an increasingly synthetic world. Discover four potential scenarios for 2035, ranging from vulture capitalism to synthetic renewal. Prepare for the start of a synthetic decade and its far-reaching consequences on technology, society, and human interaction.
Overview
Syllabus
Intro
What is the future?
What are the futures?
Factors for longitudinal trends
Key Findings & Tech Trends
Evolutionary algorithms still have human parents. How can we trust the way they've been built if the algorithms aren't explainable or transparent?
We know algorithms are biased! Are we going to fix the bias problem before the generative ecosystem gets more complicated?
Implication: Infinite versions of you
Synthesizing human connections
To protect our health and flatten the curve, studios, creative departments and sports are closed for an indefinite amount of time.
Synthetic Soap Operas v1.0
Deep Uncertainty warrants Deep Questions
Do a country's speech laws govern humans and synths in the same ways?
What if different standards are applied for news, entertainment companies and tech platforms?
How could you use synthetic media to rapidly prototype new ideas?
How could behavioral design be used to increase trust and transparency?
What if someone gains access to your personal source code?
This is the start of a synthetic decade.
Scenarios for 2035
Vulture Capitalism Pervasive Scoring Algorithmic Determinism Genetic Class Warfare
Trust + Collaboration Human-Centered Scoring Beneficial Biotech Synthetic Renewal
Taught by
SXSW
