Explore human futures: People, technology and society

12:00 – 17:00

Imagine a world where pupils and students of any age in the UK can access personalised education, with support tailored to individual needs and goals.

Perhaps this is a world where every person has an AI assistant to help with learning (and life in general) available to them. AI assistants would learn how their human best understands and interprets things and personalises the way it explains things to enable efficient learning pathways according to development stage, abilities, curriculums, classroom set up, and teaching styles. In addition to becoming an approved and verifiable method for homework and assignments, AI assistants could support learners by knowing the persons’ family context, ambitions, interests and extra-curricular activities schedule and help to detect any concerns or potential risks and provide assistance accordingly. Or perhaps we will live in a world where brain machine interfaces have opened up instantaneous knowledge to all. Would this make the practice of creating or applying skills and knowledge accessible to all and thus more important than acquiring? Would this mean the end of student debt and how might educators transfer their skills?

Imagine how the education sector – from schools to higher education institutions – could evolve or revolutionise to integrate, adapt and react to these scenarios. How would they change what and how they fulfil their purpose?

Imagine that we could maximise the potential of everyone, and provide opportunities for more of the population, whatever their ability and capacity.

12:00 – 17:00

Imagine a world where distance is no longer a significant barrier to opportunity, collaboration or human connection. People can now move seamlessly between physical and virtual environments, travelling across cities, countries, and even continents through a combination of autonomous transport, immersive digital experiences, and connected infrastructure. Transport that works for all, that is safe, reliable, affordable and accessible, letting people get on in life and make the journeys they need to without issue.

Imagine a world where connections are not just human to human, but a mix of different relationships between humans, machines and hybrid entities. Where virtual or cyberphysical avatars can interact on behalf of themselves or on behalf of humans. (Perhaps even where a Human Futures workshop could be attended ‘in person’ from home through extended reality with your robot representative shaking hands with a new contact or writing a note 200 miles away.

Imagine how new connectivity technologies on the very edge of science-fact – like brain-to-brain communication, or hyper speed travel – might change where, when and how we travel. They will almost inevitably change how we interact with others. Society may change our expectations of what is normal in a working or personal relationship. The value we place on face-to-face interactions may vastly increase or decrease depending on how our social behaviours and norms respond to these technologies.

12:00 – 17:00

Imagine a world where humans and intelligent machines live, work, and interact side by side every day. Where life is augmented – be it digitally, physically, genetically or chemically. Technology advancements and certain trends (e.g. Maxxing) have enabled people to ‘upgrade’ and augment themselves (mind and body) through lifestyle changes, implants, exoskeletons, pharmaceuticals, genetic alterations, AI powered cognitive assistants, and more.

Humanoid robots would be common companions, carers, and colleagues. What once felt impossible and scary, would become the norm across industries. For instance, factory workers could safely lift heavy loads with the assistance of wearable exoskeletons, and surgeons could access patients real-time health records and information on their status during surgery via augmented vision. Robotic and sensory assistants would provide day-to-day support for adult and elder care and wellbeing and deliver first aid support where needed before medical services arrive on scene.

Spoken and interpreted language could be a long-forgotten barrier and humans could easily communicate through embedded translation technologies with anyone anywhere in the world.

Imagine a world where athletic performance accelerates through technologies that enhance physical and/or cognitive performance. Intellectual performance could also be enhanced, leading to a more productive and efficient workforce.

There could be a future where soldiers, emergency responders, front line / critical care workers operate with advanced human-machine teaming systems. They collaborate with autonomous vehicles, robotic teammates, and AI assisted systems to analyse complex situations and be able to present all relevant information for smarter and faster decision-making.

Imagine how our workplaces, healthcare systems, cities, public services, defence capabilities, and social structures could evolve to integrate and adapt to this reality. Understanding the technologies and their evolution of capabilities, applicability, and useability are critical. Furthermore, the social science behind how people will adapt to these changes, how cultures and behaviours could evolve, and how wellbeing and human life will fit into this new hybrid world – ought to be of significant consideration also.
Will we be fostering a healthier, safer, and more productive world, or attempting to rewrite the story of human life and the human experience altogether?

Join us to debate questions around identity, fairness, trust, and ethics.